Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

उपस्पृष्टोदकान्विप्रान् उपवेश्यानुमन्त्रयेत् द्वौ दैवे पितृकृत्ये त्रीन् एकैकमुभयत्र च //

Transliteration

upaspṛṣṭodakānviprān upaveśyānumantrayet dvau daive pitṛkṛtye trīn ekaikamubhayatra ca //

Translation

After having the brāhmaṇas touch consecrated water for purification, he should seat them and then recite the appropriate invitatory formulas. For the rite meant for the Devas he should employ two brāhmaṇas, for the ancestral rite (pitṛkṛtya/śrāddha) three, and in a combined rite one for each side.

Word by Word

• उपस्पृष्ट-उदकान् (upaspṛṣṭa-udakān): having touched water for purification

• विप्रान् (viprān): brāhmaṇas, learned priests

• उपवेश्य (upaveśya): having seated

• अनुमन्त्रयेत् (anumantrayet): should address with mantras/should invite by recitation

• द्वौ (dvau): two

• दैवे (daive): in the deva-rite, for the gods

• पितृकृत्ये (pitṛkṛtye): in the ancestral rite/śrāddha procedure

• त्रीन् (trīn): three

• एकैकम् (ekaikam): one each

• उभयत्र (ubhayatra): in both (contexts), for both sides

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu the ritual procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇas (Vipras)
• Devas
• Pitṛs (Ancestors)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛkṛtya
• Ritual Purity
• Dharma
• Mantra

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma in ritual practice—specifically the correct arrangement of priests for offerings to Devas and Pitṛs during śrāddha-related rites.

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

It prescribes a householder’s (and by extension a king’s) duty to perform rites with proper purity and procedure: purify invited brāhmaṇas with water, seat them respectfully, recite the correct mantras, and appoint the appropriate number of priests for deva- and pitṛ-offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it standardizes śrāddha protocol—purification by water-touch (upaspṛṣṭodaka), formal seating, and the prescribed number of brāhmaṇas (two for deva-kārya, three for pitṛkārya, or one each when both are performed together).