Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

श्राद्धेषु भोजनीया ये ये च वर्ज्या द्विजातयः कस्मिन्वासरभागे वा पितृभ्यः श्राद्धमाचरेत् //

Transliteration

śrāddheṣu bhojanīyā ye ye ca varjyā dvijātayaḥ kasminvāsarabhāge vā pitṛbhyaḥ śrāddhamācaret //

Translation

At śrāddhas, which twice-born persons are fit to be fed, and which are to be avoided? And at what division of the day should one perform the śrāddha for the Pitṛs (ancestors)?

Word by Word

• śrāddheṣu: in śrāddha rites

• bhojanīyāḥ: to be fed/fit to be invited for a meal

• ye ye: which (persons)

• ca: and

• varjyāḥ: to be avoided/excluded

• dvijātayaḥ: the twice-born (Brahmin/Kṣatriya/Vaiśya)

• kasmin: in which

• vāsara-bhāge: portion/division of the day

• vā: or/indeed

• pitṛbhyaḥ: for the Pitṛs/ancestors

• śrāddham: the śrāddha offering/rite

• ācaret: one should perform

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (inquiring) to Lord Matsya (teacher)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Dvijātis

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-kārya
• Ritual timing
• Dharma
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it shifts the focus to dharma—specifically the correct procedure for ancestral śrāddha, emphasizing ritual eligibility and timing.

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

It frames a key gṛhastha (householder) duty: honoring ancestors through śrāddha with proper discrimination—inviting qualified dvijātis and avoiding unfit recipients, and performing the rite at the proper time of day.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it introduces śrāddha-vidhi questions—who may be fed at śrāddha and the correct vāsara-bhāga (time division) for offerings to the Pitṛs.