Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

सोमाच्चैवामृतप्राप्तिः पितॄणां तर्पणं तथा सौम्या बर्हिषदः काव्या अग्निष्वात्तास्तथैव च //

Transliteration

somāccaivāmṛtaprāptiḥ pitṝṇāṃ tarpaṇaṃ tathā saumyā barhiṣadaḥ kāvyā agniṣvāttāstathaiva ca //

Translation

From Soma indeed comes the obtaining of amṛta (ambrosia); and likewise the tarpaṇa, the libation offered to the Pitṛs, the Ancestors. The Saumya Pitṛs, the Barhiṣads, the Kāvyas, and likewise the Agniṣvāttas are to be understood in this connection.

Word by Word

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

• ca eva: and indeed

• amṛta-prāptiḥ: attainment/obtaining of nectar (immortality/ambrosia)

• pitṝṇām: of the Pitṛs (ancestors)

• tarpaṇam: satiating libation/ritual water-offering

• tathā: likewise/also

• saumyāḥ: the Saumya (Soma-related) class (of Pitṛs)

• barhiṣadaḥ: Barhiṣad Pitṛs (those ‘seated on the sacred grass’ in śrāddha)

• kāvyāḥ: Kāvyas (a named class of Pitṛs, associated with Kavi/ancestral seers)

• agniṣvāttāḥ: Agniṣvātta Pitṛs (those ‘tasted/consumed by fire’, a class of ancestral beings)

• tatha eva ca: and similarly/also

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Matsya Purāṇa’s teaching on pitṛ-rituals, in the dialogue framework ultimately attributed to Lord Matsya’s instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Pitṛs
• Tarpaṇa
• Saumya Pitṛs
• Barhiṣad Pitṛs
• Kāvya Pitṛs
• Agniṣvātta Pitṛs

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Tarpaṇa
• Pitṛs
• Ritual Dharma
• Soma

FAQs

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

It does not address pralaya directly; it teaches ritual cosmology—Soma as a source linked with amṛta and the nourishment/satiation of Pitṛs through tarpaṇa.

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

It supports the gṛhastha’s obligatory pitṛ-kṛtya: performing tarpaṇa and understanding the ancestral classes (Saumya, Barhiṣad, Kāvya, Agniṣvātta) as part of dharma that sustains lineage and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it highlights tarpaṇa and the Soma–amṛta principle behind ancestral offerings, and names key Pitṛ categories typically invoked/recognized in śrāddha-related rites.