Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

विट्पीतं मातुलं बन्धुम् ऋत्विगाचार्यसोमपान् यश्च व्याकुरुते वाक्यं यश्च मीमांसते ऽध्वरम् //

Transliteration

viṭpītaṃ mātulaṃ bandhum ṛtvigācāryasomapān yaśca vyākurute vākyaṃ yaśca mīmāṃsate 'dhvaram //

Translation

One should properly recognize and honor the maternal uncle and other kinsmen, those who have shared one’s food, the officiating priests (ṛtvij) and teachers (ācārya), and those entitled to Soma-drink; as well as the person who explains the Vedic utterance and the one who investigates and determines the procedure of the sacrifice (adhvara).

Word by Word

• viṭpītam: one who has partaken of one’s food/with whom food has been shared

• mātulam: maternal uncle

• bandhum: kinsman/relative

• ṛtvig: officiating priest

• ācārya: teacher/preceptor

• soma-pān: Soma-drinkers/those entitled to drink Soma

• yaḥ ca: and whoever

• vyākurute: explains/expounds

• vākyam: speech/statement (esp. Vedic sentence)

• yaḥ ca: and whoever

• mīmāṃsate: investigates/reflects upon according to Mīmāṃsā (ritual exegesis)

• adhvaram: sacrifice/yajña

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛtvij (officiating priests)
• Ācārya (teacher)
• Soma (Soma-drink/rite)
• Mīmāṃsā (ritual inquiry)

Tags

• Yajña
• Dharma
• Vedic Exegesis
• Priesthood
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual-dharma—identifying and honoring key persons connected with yajña, Vedic instruction, and sacrificial interpretation.

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

It frames social and religious obligations: a householder (and by extension a king as protector of dharma) should respect relatives, those bound by shared hospitality, and especially ritual experts—priests, teachers, and interpreters of Vedic injunctions—since yajña depends on their authority and correct procedure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it highlights the roles of ṛtvij and ācārya, the entitlement to Soma, and the necessity of vyākhyāna (expounding Vedic statements) and mīmāṃsā (systematic inquiry) to ensure the sacrifice (adhvara) is performed correctly.