Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

अभिघार्यं ततः कुर्यान् निर्वापत्रयमग्रतः ते ऽपि तस्यायताः कार्याश् चतुरङ्गुलविस्तृताः //

Transliteration

abhighāryaṃ tataḥ kuryān nirvāpatrayamagrataḥ te 'pi tasyāyatāḥ kāryāś caturaṅgulavistṛtāḥ //

Translation

Then he should prepare the abhighārya, the consecrated sprinkling or unction. In front of it he should make three nirvāpa, the deposited offering-places or portions. These too should be formed elongated in the same manner, each with a breadth of four aṅgulas (four finger-widths).

Word by Word

• tataḥ: thereafter

• kuryāt: should make/prepare

• abhighāryam: abhighārya rite/substance (consecrated sprinkling/unction)

• agrataḥ: in front (of it)

• nirvāpa-trayam: three nirvāpas (three deposited offering portions/places)

• te api: those also

• tasya-āyatāḥ: elongated/extended like that (in the same orientation/measure)

• kāryāḥ: are to be made

• caturaṅgula-vistṛtāḥ: having a width of four aṅgulas (four finger-breadths)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual procedure
• Measurements
• Altar layout
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it gives technical instructions for arranging ritual components and their measurements.

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

It reflects the dharmic duty of performing rites correctly—emphasizing precise placement and standardized measures (aṅgulas) for offerings, a concern shared by householders and rulers supporting public rituals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies ritual/plan geometry: three nirvāpa placements are to be set in front of the abhighārya and each should be elongated with a standardized width of four aṅgulas—showing the Matsya Purana’s measurement-based Vastu-ritual discipline.