Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

युगादयः स्मृता ह्य् एता दत्तस्याक्षय्यकारिकाः तथा मन्वन्तरादौ च देयं श्राद्धं विजानता //

Transliteration

yugādayaḥ smṛtā hy etā dattasyākṣayyakārikāḥ tathā manvantarādau ca deyaṃ śrāddhaṃ vijānatā //

Translation

These times—beginning with the yugas—are remembered as conferring imperishable (akṣaya) fruit upon gifts. Likewise, at the commencement of a Manvantara, one who understands should perform the śrāddha rites.

Word by Word

• yuga-ādayaḥ: the yugas and other such (sacred periods)

• smṛtāḥ: are remembered/declared (in tradition)

• hi: indeed

• etāḥ: these

• dattasyā: of a gift/charity given

• akṣayya-kārikāḥ: causes of imperishable (undiminishing) merit/result

• tathā: likewise

• manvantara-ādau: at the beginning of a Manvantara

• ca: and

• deyam: should be given/offered

• śrāddham: śrāddha (ancestral offering)

• vijānatā: by one who knows/understands (the proper rule).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Dāna
• Akṣaya-puṇya
• Kāla (Sacred Time)
• Dharma

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it points to cosmic time cycles (yugas and manvantaras) that frame creation and dissolution; the verse uses these transitions as especially potent times for accruing imperishable religious merit.

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

It advises the dharmic person—especially the householder responsible for rites—to give charity and perform śrāddha at auspicious cosmic junctures; a king, as guardian of dharma, is also expected to uphold and model such time-based ritual observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes kāla-niyama (the rule of proper timing): gifts and śrāddha performed at yuga-related sacred periods and at a Manvantara’s beginning are said to yield akṣaya (undiminishing) merit.