Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

गोमयेनोपलिप्ते तु दक्षिणप्रवणे स्थले श्राद्धं समाचरेद्भक्त्या गोष्ठे वा जलसंनिधौ //

Transliteration

gomayenopalipte tu dakṣiṇapravaṇe sthale śrāddhaṃ samācaredbhaktyā goṣṭhe vā jalasaṃnidhau //

Translation

One should perform the Śrāddha with devotion in a place plastered with cow-dung, on ground sloping to the south—either in a cowshed or near a body of water.

Word by Word

• गोमयेन (gomayena): with cow-dung

• उपलिप्ते (upalipte): plastered/smeared

• तु (tu): indeed

• दक्षिण-प्रवणे (dakṣiṇa-pravaṇe): sloping toward the south

• स्थले (sthale): in a place/spot

• श्राद्धम् (śrāddham): ancestral rite (Śrāddha)

• समाचरेत् (samācaret): should perform/undertake

• भक्त्या (bhaktyā): with devotion

• गोष्ठे (goṣṭhe): in a cowshed/cattle-pen

• वा (vā): or

• जल-संनिधौ (jala-saṃnidhau): in the proximity of water.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Cow-dung (gomaya)
• Water (jala)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitru Dharma
• Ritual Purity
• Householder Duties
• Matsya Purana Rituals

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on Dharma—specifically, correct conditions and locations for performing Śrāddha rites for the ancestors.

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

It gives practical householder (and ruler-as-upholder-of-dharma) guidance: Śrāddha should be done with devotion and with attention to ritual cleanliness and auspicious setting, reflecting the obligation to honor the Pitṛs.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes an auspicious, purified site: a cow-dung-smeared ground (traditional purifier), preferably south-sloping (direction associated with the Pitṛs), and either a cowshed or near water—both considered conducive to sanctity and proper rite-performance.