Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

स्वधामृतेन सौम्येन तर्पयामास वै पितॄन् सौम्या बर्हिषदः काव्या अग्निष्वात्तास्तथैव च //

Transliteration

svadhāmṛtena saumyena tarpayāmāsa vai pitṝn saumyā barhiṣadaḥ kāvyā agniṣvāttāstathaiva ca //

Translation

With the Soma-like libation called svadhā-amṛta, he indeed satisfied (offered tarpaṇa to) the Pitṛs—namely, the gentle Barhiṣads, the Kāvyas, and likewise the Agniṣvāttas as well.

Word by Word

• svadhā-amṛtena: with the nectar-like offering called svadhā (the ancestral oblation)

• saumyena: Soma-related, gentle, auspicious (fit for Pitṛs)

• tarpayāmāsa: he satisfied, offered libations (performed tarpaṇa)

• vai: indeed

• pitṝn: the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• saumyāḥ: gentle/benign ones (an epithet for these Pitṛ-classes)

• barhiṣadaḥ: Barhiṣad Pitṛs (those ‘seated on the sacred kuśa/barhis’)

• kāvyāḥ: Kāvyas (a class of Pitṛs, associated with Kavi lineage/tradition)

• agniṣvāttāḥ: Agniṣvātta Pitṛs (‘tasted/consumed by fire’, a recognized Pitṛ class)

• tathaiva ca: and likewise also.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s ritual instructions in context)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Svadhā
• Soma
• Barhiṣad Pitṛs
• Kāvya Pitṛs
• Agniṣvātta Pitṛs

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Tarpana
• Pitṛs
• Ritual
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual maintenance of ancestral order (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa), a sustaining dharmic practice rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It underscores the householder’s (and ruler’s) duty to perform tarpaṇa and śrāddha—feeding and honoring the Pitṛs through svadhā-offerings, naming recognized Pitṛ classes to be satisfied.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: tarpaṇa is performed with svadhā-like libations (often water with appropriate mantras), directed to specific Pitṛ groups such as Barhiṣads, Kāvyas, and Agniṣvāttas.