Shloka 65

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

मासश्राद्धं हि भुञ्जानास् तेऽत्येते सोमलौकिकाः एते मनुष्याः पितरो मासश्राद्धभुजस्तु वै //

Transliteration

māsaśrāddhaṃ hi bhuñjānās te'tyete somalaukikāḥ ete manuṣyāḥ pitaro māsaśrāddhabhujastu vai //

Translation

Those who partake of the monthly Śrāddha offerings surpass (the status of) the Soma-world (Soma-loka). Indeed, these Pitṛs—though described in human terms—are truly the enjoyers of the monthly Śrāddha.

Word by Word

• मासश्राद्धम् (māsa-śrāddham): monthly śrāddha rite

• हि (hi): indeed

• भुञ्जानाः (bhuñjānāḥ): partaking/enjoying (the offerings)

• ते (te): they

• अत्येते (atyete): go beyond/surpass

• सोमलौकिकाः (somalaukikāḥ): belonging to the Soma-world (lunar/heavenly realm)

• एते (ete): these

• मनुष्याः (manuṣyāḥ): ‘human’/spoken of as human

• पितरः (pitaraḥ): ancestors, Pitṛs

• मासश्राद्धभुजः (māsaśrāddha-bhujaḥ): eaters/enjoyers of the monthly śrāddha

• तु (tu): indeed/for emphasis

• वै (vai): certainly.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu on śrāddha and Pitṛ-dharma)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Soma-loka (Moon/Soma world)
• Śrāddha (monthly rite)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-dharma
• Monthly rites
• Afterlife realms
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on post-death states and the exalted standing of Pitṛs sustained by monthly Śrāddha, even beyond the Soma-loka classification.

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

It reinforces gṛhastha-dharma: performing monthly Śrāddha is presented as spiritually potent, directly nourishing the Pitṛs and elevating their condition—hence a key regular duty for householders (and by extension, a king as exemplar of dharma).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it highlights the efficacy and status-conferment of the monthly Śrāddha offerings, identifying the Pitṛs as the rightful recipients/enjoyers of that recurring rite.