Shloka 56

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

उच्छेषणं तु तत्तिष्ठेद् यावद्विप्रा विसर्जिताः ततो ग्रहबलिं कुर्याद् इति धर्मव्यवस्थितिः //

Transliteration

uccheṣaṇaṃ tu tattiṣṭhed yāvadviprā visarjitāḥ tato grahabaliṃ kuryād iti dharmavyavasthitiḥ //

Translation

The remaining food (ucchēṣaṇa) should be kept in place until the brāhmaṇas have been respectfully dismissed. Thereafter one should offer bali to the planetary deities (grahas). Such is the settled ordinance of dharma.

Word by Word

• उच्छेषणम् (uccheṣaṇam): remaining food/leftover portion

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• तत् (tat): that (remainder)

• तिष्ठेत् (tiṣṭhet): should remain/should be kept

• यावत् (yāvat): until/as long as

• विप्राः (viprāḥ): brāhmaṇas/learned priests

• विसर्जिताः (visarjitāḥ): dismissed/seen off with honor

• ततः (tataḥ): thereafter

• ग्रहबलिम् (grahabalim): offering (bali) to the grahas/planetary powers

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should perform/should offer

• इति (iti): thus

• धर्मव्यवस्थितिः (dharmavyavasthitiḥ): established rule/settled order of dharma

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, traditional dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipras (Brahmanas)
• Grahas (planetary deities)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual Procedure
• Bali
• Graha Shanti
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it lays down a dharma-based ritual sequence connected to feeding brāhmaṇas and then offering bali to the grahas.

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

It prescribes proper household/royal etiquette in ritual hospitality: keep the uccheṣaṇa in place until the invited brāhmaṇas are formally dismissed, and only then perform graha-bali—showing ordered, respectful completion of rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it specifies the correct timing (krama) for graha-bali—performed after vipra-visarjana—highlighting graha-śānti style offerings as a standard post-feeding observance.