Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

ऐलः पुरूरवा विद्वान् मासि श्राद्धचिकीर्षया ततः स दिवि सोमं वै ह्य् उपतस्थे पितॄनपि //

Transliteration

ailaḥ purūravā vidvān māsi śrāddhacikīrṣayā tataḥ sa divi somaṃ vai hy upatasthe pitṝnapi //

Translation

Aila Purūravas, the wise, wishing to perform the monthly śrāddha, then in the heavenly realm duly worshipped Soma—and also honoured the Pitṛs, the ancestral Fathers.

Word by Word

• ऐलः (ailaḥ): descendant of Ilā (Aila)

• पुरूरवा (purūravā): Purūravas

• विद्वान् (vidvān): wise, learned

• मासि (māsi): in the month / monthly

• श्राद्धचिकीर्षया (śrāddha-cikīrṣayā): with the desire to perform śrāddha

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• स (sa): he

• दिवि (divi): in heaven, in the celestial realm

• सोमं (somaṃ): Soma (the Moon deity / sacred Soma)

• वै (vai): indeed

• हि (hi): surely

• उपतस्थे (upatasthe): worshipped, attended upon, propitiated

• पितॄन् (pitṝn): the Pitṛs, ancestors

• अपि (api): also

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) reporting the episode within the Matsya Purāṇa’s dynastic narration

Entities Mentioned

• Aila Purūravas
• Soma
• Pitṛs (Ancestors)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-tarpaṇa
• Lunar Dynasty
• Genealogy
• Ritual Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it highlights ongoing cosmic-religious order (ṛta/dharma) through regular śrāddha and the worship of Soma and the Pitṛs.

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

It portrays an ideal ruler/householder: even a celebrated king like Purūravas maintains monthly śrāddha, honouring ancestors and sustaining lineage-based dharma and social-religious continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the monthly śrāddha (ancestor offerings) and propitiation of Soma and the Pitṛs—key elements of Pitṛ-yajña within domestic ritual obligations (gṛhastha-dharma).