Shloka 70

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

एवं शूद्रो ऽपि सामान्यवृद्धिश्राद्धे ऽपि सर्वदा नमस्कारेण मन्त्रेण कुर्यादामान्नतः सदा //

Transliteration

evaṃ śūdro 'pi sāmānyavṛddhiśrāddhe 'pi sarvadā namaskāreṇa mantreṇa kuryādāmānnataḥ sadā //

Translation

Thus, even a Śūdra, even in the ordinary śrāddha performed on occasions of family increase or prosperity, should always perform it with the mantra of reverential salutation, consistently offering uncooked food.

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus

• śūdraḥ api: even a Śūdra

• sāmānya-vṛddhi-śrāddhe api: even in the common/standard vṛddhi-śrāddha (śrāddha connected with increase/prosperity)

• sarvadā: always

• namaskāreṇa: by/with an act of salutation

• mantreṇa: with a mantra

• kuryāt: should do/perform

• āmānnataḥ: with uncooked food (āmā-anna)

• sadā: always/at all times

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śūdra
• Śrāddha
• Namaskāra-mantra

Tags

• Dharma
• Shraddha
• Ritual procedure
• Householder duties
• Manu dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically the correct performance of śrāddha rites and permissible mantras/offerings.

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

It gives a householder-facing rule: even those with limited Vedic entitlement are directed to perform vṛddhi-śrāddha through a namaskāra-mantra and a simple offering (uncooked food), emphasizing inclusivity and procedural correctness in ancestral rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: the verse prescribes the use of a namaskāra-mantra and specifies āmā-anna (uncooked food) as the mode of offering for this śrāddha context.