Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

स्वधामृतं तु सोमाद्वै वसंस्तेषां च तृप्तये दशभिः पञ्चभिश्चैव स्वधामृतपरिस्रवैः कृष्णपक्षभुजां प्रीतिर् द्रुह्यते परमांशुभिः //

Transliteration

svadhāmṛtaṃ tu somādvai vasaṃsteṣāṃ ca tṛptaye daśabhiḥ pañcabhiścaiva svadhāmṛtaparisravaiḥ kṛṣṇapakṣabhujāṃ prītir druhyate paramāṃśubhiḥ //

Translation

The nectar called Svadhā indeed arises from Soma and is their sustenance, bringing satisfaction to the Pitṛs. By the flowing streams of this Svadhā-nectar—five and ten in number—the delight of those who partake during the dark fortnight is nourished by the supreme rays (of Soma).

Word by Word

• svadhā-amṛtam: the nectar of Svadhā (ancestral oblation)

• tu: indeed

• somāt: from Soma (the Moon/ Soma-deity)

• vai: verily

• vasaṃs: sustenance/food, that by which they live

• teṣām: of them (the Pitṛs/ancestors)

• ca: and

• tṛptaye: for satisfaction

• daśabhiḥ: by ten (streams/portions)

• pañcabhiḥ: by five (streams/portions)

• ca eva: and indeed

• svadhā-amṛta-parisravaiḥ: by the outflowing streams of Svadhā-nectar

• kṛṣṇa-pakṣa-bhujām: of those who eat/partake in the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇapakṣa)

• prītiḥ: joy, pleasure

• druhyate: is nourished/strengthened (lit. is made firm)

• paramāṃśubhiḥ: by supreme rays (especially Soma’s rays).

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing Pitṛ-tarpaṇa/Śrāddha doctrine within Matsya Purana’s instruction

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Svadhā
• Pitṛs (Ancestors)
• Kṛṣṇapakṣa (Dark fortnight)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Svadhā
• Soma
• Ritual Calendar

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it explains ritual cosmology: the Pitṛs are sustained by Svadhā, which is linked to Soma (the lunar principle), showing how lunar time and offerings support ancestral beings.

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

It supports the householder’s dharma of Śrāddha and Pitṛ-tarpaṇa: offering Svadhā in proper lunar timing (notably the kṛṣṇapakṣa) is presented as a direct means to satisfy and please the ancestors.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: Svadhā is described as Soma-born “nectar,” flowing in measured portions (five and ten), emphasizing correct quantification and timing of ancestral offerings for maximum efficacy.