Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

गन्धपुष्पैर् अलंकृत्य या दिव्येत्यर्घ्यमुत्सृजेत् अभ्यर्च्य ताभ्यामुत्सृष्टं पितृकार्यं समारभेत् //

Transliteration

gandhapuṣpair alaṃkṛtya yā divyetyarghyamutsṛjet abhyarcya tābhyāmutsṛṣṭaṃ pitṛkāryaṃ samārabhet //

Translation

Having adorned with fragrant substances and flowers, one should pour out the arghya (water-offering) with the mantra “yā divyā”. After worshipping, one should then commence the rites for the ancestors (pitṛ-kārya) with what has been offered by those two, together with the arghya.

Word by Word

• गन्ध (gandha): fragrance, perfume

• पुष्पैः (puṣpaiḥ): with flowers

• अलंकृत्य (alaṅkṛtya): having adorned, having decorated

• या दिव्या (yā divyā): ‘she/that which is divine’—a mantra/phrase used at the time of offering

• इति (iti): thus (indicating the mantra)

• अर्घ्यम् (arghyam): arghya, respectful water-offering

• उत्सृजेत् (utsṛjet): should pour out/offer

• अभ्यर्च्य (abhyarcya): having worshipped, having honored

• ताभ्याम् (tābhyām): by/with those two (fragrance and flowers)

• उत्सृष्टम् (utsṛṣṭam): that which has been offered/poured out

• पितृकार्यं (pitṛkāryam): ancestral rite, śrāddha-duty

• समारभेत् (samārabhet): should begin, should undertake

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Arghya (water-offering)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-kārya
• Tarpaṇa
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual dharma—specifically the correct sequence for beginning pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites) after offering arghya with mantra and worship.

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

It presents a gṛhastha (householder) duty: honoring ancestors through properly performed pitṛ-kārya. In Purāṇic ethics, even kings uphold social and cosmic order by maintaining śrāddha and tarpaṇa rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: decorate with fragrance and flowers, offer arghya with the specified mantra (‘yā divyā’), worship, and then begin the ancestral rite using the sanctified offerings—emphasizing purity, sequence, and mantra-based procedure.