Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

वित्तशाठ्येन रहितः पितृभ्यः प्रीतिमावहन् ततः स्वधावाचनकं विश्वदेवेषु चोदकम् //

Transliteration

vittaśāṭhyena rahitaḥ pitṛbhyaḥ prītimāvahan tataḥ svadhāvācanakaṃ viśvadeveṣu codakam //

Translation

Free from deceit regarding wealth, one should bring satisfaction to the ancestors; then one should perform the ‘svadhā’ invocation and offer the water-oblation to the Viśvedevas.

Word by Word

• वित्त (vitta): wealth

• शाठ्येन (śāṭhyena): with deceit, dishonesty

• रहितः (rahitaḥ): free from, devoid of

• पितृभ्यः (pitṛbhyaḥ): to the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• प्रीतिम् (prītim): satisfaction, pleased state

• आवहन् (āvahan): bringing about, causing

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• स्वधा (svadhā): the ancestral oblation-formula ‘svadhā’

• आवाचनकम् (āvācanakam): invocation, recitation/uttering as a ritual call

• विश्वदेवेषु (viśvadeveṣu): to/among the Viśvedevas (the ‘All-Gods’ group invoked in śrāddha)

• च (ca): and

• उदकम् (udakam): water (libation/oblatory water).

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (Ancestors)
• Svadhā
• Viśvedevas

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛdharma
• Ritual purity
• Dāna ethics
• Vedic rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on śrāddha ethics and the correct sequence of invoking svadhā and offering water to the Viśvedevas.

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

It frames ancestor-rites as a duty that must be done with financial integrity—no deceit in wealth used for ritual—highlighting that dharma depends on both correct procedure and moral conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies śrāddha components: (1) pleasing the Pitṛs with sincere, honest means, (2) svadhā-āvāhana/recitation, and (3) udaka (water-libation) offered to the Viśvedevas.