Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

तिलो ऽसीति तिलान्कुर्याद् गन्धपुष्पादिकं पुनः पात्रं वनस्पतिमयं तथा पर्णमयं पुनः //

Transliteration

tilo 'sīti tilānkuryād gandhapuṣpādikaṃ punaḥ pātraṃ vanaspatimayaṃ tathā parṇamayaṃ punaḥ //

Translation

Reciting “tilo ’si” (“You are sesame”), one should prepare and offer sesame; and again add fragrances, flowers, and the like. The vessel should be made of plant material, and again, one made of leaves.

Word by Word

tilo ’si iti“you are sesame” (a ritual utterance)

tilānsesame seeds

kuryātshould make/prepare/offer

gandhafragrance, perfume (sandal etc.)

puṣpaflowers

ādikamand other similar items

punaḥagain/furthermore

pātramvessel, container (ritual receptacle)

vanaspati-mayammade of vegetation/wood/plant substance

tathālikewise/also

parṇa-mayammade of leaves (leaf-bowl/leaf-vessel)

punaḥagain (emphatic repetition)

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

MatsyaVaivasvata ManuTila (sesame)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual procedure—how sesame offerings are to be prepared with auspicious adjuncts like fragrance and flowers, and what materials are suitable for the ritual vessel.

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

It gives practical guidance for a householder (and a king as ritual patron) on correct performance of rites involving tila—using proper mantric designation (“tilo ’si”), adding customary upacāras (perfume, flowers), and selecting pure, readily available plant-based containers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies acceptable pātras (containers): those made of plant/wood materials and leaf-vessels—highlighting purity, simplicity, and suitability of natural materials in śrāddha/dāna contexts.