Shloka 62

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

ततस्तु वैश्वदेवान्ते सभृत्यसुतबान्धवः भुञ्जीतातिथिसंयुक्तः सर्वं पितृनिषेवितम् //

Transliteration

tatastu vaiśvadevānte sabhṛtyasutabāndhavaḥ bhuñjītātithisaṃyuktaḥ sarvaṃ pitṛniṣevitam //

Translation

Then, at the conclusion of the Vaiśvadeva rite, together with his servants, sons, and kinsmen, he should take his meal in the company of a guest—partaking only of what has first been duly offered in service to the Pitṛs (ancestors).

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• tu: indeed/and

• vaiśvadeva-ante: at the end of the Vaiśvadeva offering

• sa-bhṛtya-suta-bāndhavaḥ: along with servants, sons, and relatives

• bhuñjīta: should eat/should partake (of food)

• atithi-saṃyuktaḥ: accompanied by a guest/with a guest present

• sarvam: all (that food)

• pitṛ-niṣevitam: that which is first served to/attended by the Pitṛs, i.e., offered for the ancestors

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaiśvadeva
• Atithi
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

Tags

• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Vaiśvadeva
• Atithi-satkara
• Pitṛ-tarpaṇa
• Ritual order

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches daily dharma—specifically the proper sequence of eating only after completing Vaiśvadeva and honoring the Pitṛs and guests.

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

It states a core gṛhastha rule: after the Vaiśvadeva rite, one should eat with dependents and relatives while honoring an atithi, and only consume food that has first been ritually allocated to the ancestors—linking personal sustenance to social responsibility and sacred obligation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it specifies the timing and precedence—Vaiśvadeva completion, then guest-inclusion, and consumption of food only after Pitṛ-related offering/attendance.