Shloka 47

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

अवनेजनपूर्वं तु नामगोत्रेण मानवः गन्धधूपादिकं दद्यात् कृत्वा प्रत्यवनेजनम् //

Transliteration

avanejanapūrvaṃ tu nāmagotreṇa mānavaḥ gandhadhūpādikaṃ dadyāt kṛtvā pratyavanejanam //

Translation

After first performing the purificatory washing (avanejana), a person should, while pronouncing the name and gotra, present offerings such as fragrance and incense; having done so, he should then perform the counter-washing (praty-avanejana) as the concluding purification.

Word by Word

• avanejana-pūrvam: preceded by washing/purificatory rinsing

• tu: indeed/then

• nāma-gotreṇa: with (utterance of) the name and gotra/lineage

• mānavaḥ: a person (lit. a man)

• gandha: perfume/fragrance

• dhūpa: incense

• ādikam: and the like (other ritual items)

• dadyāt: should give/offer

• kṛtvā: having done

• pratya-vanejanam: counter-washing/return purification (concluding rinse).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual purity
• Śrāddha
• Offerings
• Mantra procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual procedure—purification by washing and correct offering protocol using name and gotra.

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

It frames a householder-style obligation: rites should be performed with purity (avanejana), correct identity markers (nāma-gotra), and disciplined completion (pratyavanejana), reflecting orderly dharma expected of all social roles, including rulers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it prescribes the sequence—initial purification, offering gandha/dhūpa and related items with name-and-gotra recitation, then a concluding purification.