Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

अग्निमान्निर्वपेत्पित्र्यं चरुं च सममुष्टिभिः पितृभ्यो निर्वपामीति सर्वं दक्षिणतो न्यसेत् //

Transliteration

agnimānnirvapetpitryaṃ caruṃ ca samamuṣṭibhiḥ pitṛbhyo nirvapāmīti sarvaṃ dakṣiṇato nyaset //

Translation

Having kindled the sacred fire, he should offer the ancestral cooked oblation (caru) to the Pitṛs in equal handful-measures, reciting, “I offer to the Pitṛs.” He should then place everything to the south, the direction of the Pitṛs.

Word by Word

• अग्निमान् (agnimān): having/with fire, having kindled the ritual fire

• निर्वपेत् (nirvapet): should offer/should place as an oblation

• पित्र्यं (pitryaṃ): belonging to the Pitṛs, ancestral

• चरुं (caruṃ): cooked sacrificial food/porridge offered in rites

• च (ca): and

• सम-मुष्टिभिः (sama-muṣṭibhiḥ): with equal handful measures

• पितृभ्यः (pitṛbhyaḥ): to the Pitṛs/ancestors

• निर्वपामि इति (nirvapāmi iti): saying ‘I offer’

• सर्वं (sarvaṃ): everything/the whole set of offerings/implements

• दक्षिणतः (dakṣiṇataḥ): to the south/southern side

• न्यसेत् (nyaset): should place/should set down.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu the dharma of rites)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Agni

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-yajña
• Ritual procedure
• Householder dharma
• Directional placement

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it prescribes a practical śrāddha/Pitṛ-yajña ritual step—offering caru into fire for the ancestors and arranging items in the southern direction associated with the Pitṛs.

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

It directly reflects gṛhastha-dharma: maintaining Agni and performing Pitṛ obligations through properly measured oblations, with the correct mantra-intention (“I offer to the Pitṛs”) and correct ritual orientation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes dakṣiṇa (south) as the Pitṛ-direction: offerings and related items are set on the southern side, reinforcing directional discipline that also underlies Purāṇic ritual layout and sacred space arrangement.