Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

दर्भासनं तु दत्त्वादौ त्रीणि पात्राणि पूरयेत् खपवित्राणि कृत्वादौ शं नो देवीत्य् अपः क्षिपेत् //

Transliteration

darbhāsanaṃ tu dattvādau trīṇi pātrāṇi pūrayet khapavitrāṇi kṛtvādau śaṃ no devīty apaḥ kṣipet //

Translation

First, having placed a seat of darbha grass, one should fill three vessels. Having first purified them by the prescribed act, one should sprinkle water into them while reciting “Śaṃ no devīḥ….”

Word by Word

• दर्भासनम् (darbhāsanam): a seat made of darbha grass

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• दत्त्वा (dattvā): having placed/given

• आदौ (ādau): at the beginning/first

• त्रीणि (trīṇi): three

• पात्राणि (pātrāṇi): vessels/containers

• पूरयेत् (pūrayet): should fill

• खपवित्राणि (khapavitrāṇi): ritually purified/with ‘kha-pavitra’ purification (purificatory act for vessels)

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done/made

• शं नो देवीति (śaṃ no devīti): “May the goddesses bring us welfare…” (opening of a Vedic mantra used for sanctification)

• अपः (apaḥ): water

• क्षिपेत् (kṣipet): should sprinkle/cast (into/over).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Darbha (Kuśa grass)
• Āpaḥ (sanctifying waters)
• Vedic mantra: “Śaṃ no devīḥ”

Tags

• Ritual
• Purification
• Mantra
• Pātra-śuddhi
• Darbha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on preparatory ritual purity—setting a darbha seat, preparing vessels, and sanctifying water with a Vedic mantra.

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

It reflects the nitya-karma mindset central to Matsya Purana dharma: even householders (and kings as exemplars) should begin worship with orderly preparation, cleanliness, and mantra-based sanctification.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes pātra-śuddhi (purifying vessels) and mantra-sprinkling of water; the darbha seat indicates a standard Vedic-paurāṇic setup for rites before any formal worship or offering.