Shloka 57

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

इत्येते पितरो देवाः सोमपाः सोमवर्धनाः आर्तवा ऋतवो ऽथाब्दा देवास्तान्भावयन्ति हि //

Transliteration

ityete pitaro devāḥ somapāḥ somavardhanāḥ ārtavā ṛtavo 'thābdā devāstānbhāvayanti hi //

Translation

Thus these Pitṛs are indeed divine—drinkers of Soma and increasers of Soma. They are bound to the seasons and the yearly cycle; and the gods, in truth, sustain and foster them.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• ete: these

• pitaraḥ: the Fathers/ancestors (Pitṛs)

• devāḥ: divine beings

• somapāḥ: Soma-drinkers

• somavardhanāḥ: increasers/promoters of Soma (and Soma-rites)

• ārtavāḥ: belonging to the seasons/seasonal (connected with ṛtu)

• ṛtavaḥ: the seasons

• atha: and then/also

• abdāḥ: years/annual cycle

• devāḥ: the gods

• tān: them (the Pitṛs)

• bhāvayanti: nourish, sustain, cause to flourish

• hi: indeed/for.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Śrāddha/Pitṛ discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (Ancestors)
• Devas (Gods)
• Soma
• Ṛtus (Seasons)
• Abda (Year-cycle)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Soma
• Ritual cosmology
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a ritual-cosmic order in which Pitṛs are sustained through Soma and the cycles of seasons and years—an ongoing maintenance of cosmic continuity rather than dissolution.

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

It supports the householder’s duty to maintain Pitṛ-yajña (Śrāddha and offerings), implying that proper Soma-linked rites aligned with calendrical cycles sustain the ancestors, which is a key component of dharma for householders (and upheld by kings through social-religious order).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the verse ties ancestor-nourishment to Soma and to seasonal/annual timing, highlighting the importance of performing Śrāddha and related offerings in harmony with ṛtu (season) and abda (year) observances.