Shloka 32

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

षण्मासं छागमांसेन तृप्यन्ति पितरस्तथा सप्त पार्षतमांसेन तथाष्टाव् एणजेन तु //

Transliteration

ṣaṇmāsaṃ chāgamāṃsena tṛpyanti pitarastathā sapta pārṣatamāṃsena tathāṣṭāv eṇajena tu //

Translation

By goat-meat the Pitṛs (ancestors) remain satisfied for six months; by the meat of a ‘pārṣata’ animal they are satisfied for seven months; and by the meat of eṇa (antelope/deer) they are satisfied for eight months.

Word by Word

• ṣaṇmāsam: for six months

• chāga-māṃsena: with goat meat

• tṛpyanti: are satisfied/content

• pitaraḥ: the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• tathā: likewise/and

• sapta: seven

• pārṣata-māṃsena: with the meat of a pārṣata (a specific class of animal, traditionally understood as a forest/wild animal)

• tathā: likewise

• aṣṭau: eight (months implied)

• eṇajena: with eṇa (deer/antelope) meat

• tu: indeed/and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitrs
• Ritual
• Dharma
• Offerings

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to Śrāddha-dharma and specifies how different meat offerings are believed to sustain the satisfaction of the Pitṛs for varying durations.

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

It guides householders (and rulers as exemplars of dharma) on appropriate Śrāddha offerings and their stated results, emphasizing ritual responsibility toward ancestors as part of gṛhastha-dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it quantifies the phala (duration of Pitṛ-satisfaction) associated with specific food offerings used in Śrāddha rites.