Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

पितृयज्ञं विनिर्वर्त्य तर्पणाख्यं तु यो ऽग्निमान् पिण्डान्वाहार्यकं कुर्याच् छ्राद्धमिन्दुक्षये सदा //

Transliteration

pitṛyajñaṃ vinirvartya tarpaṇākhyaṃ tu yo 'gnimān piṇḍānvāhāryakaṃ kuryāc chrāddhamindukṣaye sadā //

Translation

Having duly completed the Pitṛ-yajña—namely the rite called tarpaṇa—one who maintains the sacred fire should always perform the Śrāddha with piṇḍa-offerings and the anvāhārya-oblation at the waning of the moon (the new-moon period).

Word by Word

• पितृयज्ञम् (pitṛyajñam): the ancestral sacrifice/rite

• विनिर्वर्त्य (vinirvartya): having duly completed, having performed to completion

• तर्पणाख्यम् (tarpaṇākhyam): called tarpaṇa (libations to ancestors)

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• यः (yaḥ): who

• अग्निमान् (agnimān): one who maintains the sacred fire (householder with āhavanīya etc.)

• पिण्डान् (piṇḍān): rice-ball offerings (to the Pitṛs)

• आहारीकम् (āhārīkam): connected with food-offering/feeding (rite involving offering of food)

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• श्राद्धम् (śrāddham): śrāddha rite performed with faith for ancestors

• इन्दुक्षये (indukṣaye): at the moon’s waning, at the dark fortnight ending/new-moon time

• सदा (sadā): always/regularly

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Agni (sacred fire)
• Tarpaṇa
• Śrāddha
• Indu (Moon)

Tags

• Pitṛyajña
• Tarpaṇa
• Śrāddha
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Amāvāsyā

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it prescribes routine ancestral rites (pitṛyajña, tarpaṇa, śrāddha) and their proper timing, emphasizing continuity of dharma in ordinary time.

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

It primarily addresses the gṛhastha who keeps the sacred fires (agnimān): after performing tarpaṇa as pitṛyajña, he should regularly perform śrāddha with piṇḍa offerings, especially at the moon’s waning/new-moon period—an essential household duty supporting lineage and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it specifies the śrāddha framework—tarpaṇa as pitṛyajña, piṇḍa offerings, and the anvāhārya-related oblation—performed at indukṣaya (new-moon/waning-moon time) as a regular observance.