Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

पितॄन् आवाहयिष्यामि कुर्वित्युक्तस्तु तैः पुनः उशन्तस्त्वा तथायन्तु ऋग्भ्याम् आवाहयेत्पितॄन् //

Transliteration

pitṝn āvāhayiṣyāmi kurvityuktastu taiḥ punaḥ uśantastvā tathāyantu ṛgbhyām āvāhayetpitṝn //

Translation

When instructed by them, he should again say, “I shall invoke the Pitṛs; I am performing the rite.” Then, reciting the two Ṛk-verses beginning with “uśantaḥ tvā…”, he should invoke the ancestors.

Word by Word

• pitṝn: the Pitṛs/forefathers

• āvāhayiṣyāmi: I shall invoke/bring (them) by invitation

• kurve/kurv: I perform (the rite)

• iti: thus

• uktaḥ: having been told/instructed

• tu: indeed

• taiḥ: by them

• punaḥ: again

• uśantaḥ: desiring/favorably disposed (a Vedic opening word)

• tvā: you

• tathā: thus/in that manner

• yāntu/āyāntu: may they come/let them approach

• ṛgbhyām: with two Ṛk-verses (two Rigvedic mantras)

• āvāhayet: one should invoke

• pitṝn: the ancestors

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating traditional Śrāddha procedure as taught in the Purāṇic discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Ṛgveda (Ṛk-mantras)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-āhvāna
• Vedic mantras
• 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 Śrāddha ritual protocol—specifically the formal invitation (āvāhana) of the Pitṛs using prescribed Ṛgvedic verses.

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

It supports gṛhastha-dharma: the householder must perform ancestral rites correctly, verbally declaring the act and invoking the Pitṛs with Vedic authority, reflecting disciplined, rule-based dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it prescribes the exact liturgical step—invoking the Pitṛs with two specific Ṛk-mantras (beginning “uśantaḥ tvā…”) after a formal declaration.