Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

यत्किंचिन्मधुसम्मिश्रं गोक्षीरं घृतपायसम् दत्तमक्षयमित्याहुः पितरः पूर्वदेवताः //

Transliteration

yatkiṃcinmadhusammiśraṃ gokṣīraṃ ghṛtapāyasam dattamakṣayamityāhuḥ pitaraḥ pūrvadevatāḥ //

Translation

The Pitṛs—those ancient divine ones—declare that whatever is offered mixed with honey, namely cow’s milk and pāyasa (rice cooked in ghee), becomes an akṣaya gift, imperishable in its merit.

Word by Word

• yat kiṃcit: whatever, anything at all

• madhu-sammiśram: mixed with honey

• go-kṣīram: cow’s milk

• ghṛta-pāyasam: pāyasa (sweet rice) prepared with ghee

• dattam: that which is given/offered

• akṣayam: imperishable, inexhaustible (in merit)

• iti: thus

• āhuḥ: they say/declare

• pitaraḥ: the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• pūrva-devatāḥ: ancient deities, the former divine beings

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on Śrāddha; teaching attributed to the Pitṛs’ declaration)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Akṣaya-dāna
• Ritual offerings
• Householder dharma

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ritual law (Śrāddha), stating that honey-mixed offerings like cow’s milk and ghee-pāyasa yield “akṣaya” (inexhaustible) merit for ancestor rites.

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

It supports gṛhastha-dharma: a householder should honor the Pitṛs through Śrāddha, and offerings of honey-mixed cow’s milk and ghee-based pāyasa are recommended as especially merit-bearing and enduring.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it prescribes specific Śrāddha food-offerings—honey-mixed cow’s milk and ghee-pāyasa—described as producing “akṣaya” results.