Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

स्वाध्यायं श्रावयेत्पित्र्यं पुराणान्यखिलानि च ब्रह्मविष्ण्वर्करुद्राणां सूक्तानि विविधानि च //

Transliteration

svādhyāyaṃ śrāvayetpitryaṃ purāṇānyakhilāni ca brahmaviṣṇvarkarudrāṇāṃ sūktāni vividhāni ca //

Translation

He should cause the pitṛ-related portions of svādhyāya (Vedic recitation) to be heard, and also the Purāṇas in their entirety, as well as various sūkta hymns addressed to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Arka (the Sun), and Rudra.

Word by Word

• स्वाध्यायम्: Vedic self-recitation/recitation of sacred study

• श्रावयेत्: should have (it) recited / should cause to be heard

• पित्र्यम्: pertaining to the Pitṛs/ancestors

• पुराणानि: the Purāṇas

• अखिलानि: all, entire

• च: and

• ब्रह्म-विṣṇु-अर्क-रुद्राणाम्: of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Arka (Sun), and Rudra

• सूक्तानि: hymns, well-spoken Vedic chants

• विविधानि: various, of many kinds

• च: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and rites)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Purāṇas
• Brahmā
• Viṣṇu
• Arka (Sūrya)
• Rudra (Śiva)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛyajña
• Ritual Recitation
• Dharma
• Purāṇic Practice

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic observance—specifically, what sacred recitations are appropriate in rites connected with the Pitṛs (ancestral worship).

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

It frames a core householder duty (and a king’s duty as guardian of dharma): maintaining ancestral rites through authorized listening/recitation—pitṛ-focused svādhyāya, Purāṇic narration, and hymns to major deities—thereby sustaining lineage, social order, and religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: during Pitṛ rites/Śrāddha, sanctioned texts to be recited include pitṛ-oriented Vedic passages, the Purāṇas, and selected sūktas to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Sūrya, and Rudra—indicating a liturgical program rather than Vāstu or temple-building rules.