Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

इन्द्राग्निसोमसूक्तानि पावनानि स्वशक्तितः बृहद्रथंतरं तद्वज् ज्येष्ठसाम सरौहिणम् //

Transliteration

indrāgnisomasūktāni pāvanāni svaśaktitaḥ bṛhadrathaṃtaraṃ tadvaj jyeṣṭhasāma sarauhiṇam //

Translation

The sūkta hymns addressed to Indra, Agni, and Soma are purifying by their own inherent power; likewise are the Bṛhadratha and Rathaṃtara chants, the Tadvaj, the Jyeṣṭha-sāman, and the Sarauhiṇa-sāman.

Word by Word

indraIndra

agniAgni (fire-deity)

somaSoma (sacred libation/deity)

sūktānihymns

pāvanānipurifiers, sanctifying

sva-śaktitaḥby their own power/intrinsic potency

bṛhadratha(ṃ)Bṛhadratha (a named chant/sāman)

rathaṃtaramRathaṃtara (a principal sāman/chant)

tadvajTadvaj (named sāman/chant)

jyeṣṭha-sāmathe Jyeṣṭha Sāman (chief/eldest chant)

sarauhiṇamSarauhiṇa (named sāman/chant)

Speaker

Suta (narrative voice summarizing purificatory Vedic recitations within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

IndraAgniSomaRathaṃtara SāmanJyeṣṭha Sāman

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it emphasizes ritual purification through specific Vedic hymns and sāman-chants, highlighting the purifying efficacy of sacred sound.

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

It supports the dharma of maintaining purity through authorized Vedic recitation—relevant to household rites (daily sanctification) and royal ritual culture (state sacrifices and consecrations) where correct chants are considered intrinsically purifying.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it lists specific sūktas and sāman melodies regarded as inherently purifying, implying their use in consecrations, expiations, and sanctifying ceremonies.