Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

एवं पात्राणि संकल्प्य यथालाभं विमत्सरः या दिव्येति पितुर्नाम गोत्रैर्दर्भकरो न्यसेत् //

Transliteration

evaṃ pātrāṇi saṃkalpya yathālābhaṃ vimatsaraḥ yā divyeti piturnāma gotrairdarbhakaro nyaset //

Translation

Thus, having arranged the ritual vessels according to one’s means, free from envy, one should place the darbha-grass in the prescribed manner, uttering the father’s name together with the gotra, and the invocation “yā divyā”.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus

• पात्राणि: vessels/containers (for offerings)

• संकल्प्य: having resolved/arranged with intention (saṅkalpa)

• यथालाभम्: according to what is obtained/according to one’s means

• विमत्सरः: free from jealousy/envious rivalry

• या: which/that (used here as part of an invocation)

• दिव्या-इति: “(she/it is) divine” (ritual utterance/phrase)

• पितुः: of the father

• नाम: name

• गोत्रैः: with (the) gotra lineage-designation(s)

• दर्भ-करः: darbha-grass handful/arrangement made with darbha (ritual darbha placement)

• न्यसेत्: should place/set down (ritually).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma/ritual procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Gotra
• Darbha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-kriyā
• Darbha
• Gotra
• Ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on proper ritual conduct in Śrāddha—arranging vessels and placing darbha with correct lineage-identification.

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

It frames a householder’s (and by extension a righteous king’s) duty to perform ancestral rites properly—within one’s means (yathālābha) and with a non-envious, disciplined mindset (vimatsara).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes saṅkalpa-based preparation of offering vessels and the formal placement (nyāsa) of darbha while reciting the father’s name and gotra—key identifiers ensuring the rite is directed to the intended ancestor.