Shloka 72

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

तेषां लोकान्तरस्थानां बान्धवैर्नामगोत्रतः भूमावसव्यं दर्भेषु दत्ताः पिण्डास्त्रयस्तु वै प्राप्तांस्तु तर्पयन्त्येव प्रेतस्थानेष्वधिष्ठितान् //

Transliteration

teṣāṃ lokāntarasthānāṃ bāndhavairnāmagotrataḥ bhūmāvasavyaṃ darbheṣu dattāḥ piṇḍāstrayastu vai prāptāṃstu tarpayantyeva pretasthāneṣvadhiṣṭhitān //

Translation

For those who have gone to another realm, their kinsmen—invoking their name and gotra (lineage)—should place three piṇḍa-offerings on the ground upon darbha grass, keeping them to the left (asavya). Having been offered, these piṇḍas indeed satisfy those who abide in the state and stations of the preta (the departed).

Word by Word

• teṣām: of those

• lokāntara-sthānām: residing in another world/realm

• bāndhavaiḥ: by relatives/kinsmen

• nāma-gotrataḥ: by (uttering) name and gotra/lineage

• bhūmau: on the ground

• asavyam: on the left side/leftward orientation

• darbheṣu: on darbha (kuśa) grass

• dattāḥ: given/placed

• piṇḍāḥ: rice-ball offerings

• trayaḥ: three

• tu vai: indeed

• prāptān: having reached (them)/having been duly offered

• tarpayanti: satisfy, gratify

• eva: certainly

• preta-sthāneṣu: in the stations/condition of the preta

• adhiṣṭhitān: those dwelling/abiding (there).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within Matsya Purana’s instructional dialogue on rites)

Entities Mentioned

• Preta
• Piṇḍa
• Darbha (Kuśa grass)
• Nāma
• Gotra

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Preta-kriyā
• Piṇḍa-dāna
• Tarpaṇa
• Ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on post-death ritual protocol (piṇḍa-dāna and tarpaṇa) and how offerings reach and satisfy the departed in the preta-state.

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

It frames a key gṛhastha-dharma duty: relatives must perform śrāddha-related offerings by correctly stating the deceased’s name and gotra and placing the prescribed piṇḍas, ensuring the departed are supported during the preta phase.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies method and orientation: three piṇḍas are placed on darbha grass on the ground, with an asavya (leftward/left-side) placement—technical details crucial for correct preta-kriyā performance.