Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Ritual Bathing

Devanagari script

मनुष्यांस्तर्पयेद्भक्त्या ब्रह्मपुत्रानृषींस्तथा सनकश्च सनन्दश्च तृतीयश्च सनातनः //

Transliteration

manuṣyāṃstarpayedbhaktyā brahmaputrānṛṣīṃstathā sanakaśca sanandaśca tṛtīyaśca sanātanaḥ //

Translation

With devotion, one should offer tarpaṇa (libations of satisfaction) to human beings, and likewise to the sage-sons of Brahmā—Sanaka, Sanandana, the third, Sanatkumāra, and Sanātana.

Word by Word

• मनुष्यān (manuṣyān): to human beings

• तर्पयेत् (tarpayet): should satisfy/offer tarpana

• भक्त्या (bhaktyā): with devotion

• ब्रह्मपुत्रान् (brahmaputrān): the sons of Brahmā

• ऋषीन् (ṛṣīn): sages/seers

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• सनकः (sanakaḥ): Sanaka

• सनन्दः (sanandaḥ): Sanandana

• तृतीयः (tṛtīyaḥ): the third (counted among them)

• सनातनः (sanātanaḥ): Sanātana

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (ritual/śrāddha context)

Entities Mentioned

• Manushyas (human beings)
• Brahmaputras (sons of Brahma)
• Rishis
• Sanaka
• Sanandana
• Sanatkumara
• Sanatana
• Brahma

Tags

• Tarpana
• Shraddha
• Pitri-yajna
• Bhakti
• Rishis

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes post-Vedic ritual order—honoring humans and Brahmā’s mind-born sages through tarpana, preserving dharma across time.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It frames a householder/kingly duty within śrāddha practice: offering devotional libations not only to ancestors but also to revered beings (humans and Brahmā’s sage-sons), reinforcing social and spiritual obligations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it specifies recipients of tarpana—humans and the Brahmaputra sages (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumāra, Sanātana)—indicating the correct hierarchy of offerings in śrāddha/tarpana rites.