Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

जान्व् आच्य सव्यं यत्नेन दर्भयुक्तो विमत्सरः विधाय लेखा यत्नेन निर्वापेष्ववनेजनम् //

Transliteration

jānv ācya savyaṃ yatnena darbhayukto vimatsaraḥ vidhāya lekhā yatnena nirvāpeṣvavanejanam //

Translation

With care, he should bend the left knee, remaining free from malice and equipped with darbha grass. Then, having carefully drawn the prescribed lines, he should perform the washing/purificatory rinsing at the places of offering (nirvāpa).

Word by Word

• jānu: knee

• ācya (ācya/āñcya, from √añc/āc): to bend/curve (here: bending the knee)

• savyam: the left (side)

• yatnena: with effort, carefully

• darbha-yuktaḥ: furnished with darbha grass

• vimatsaraḥ: free from envy/ill-will

• vidhāya: having done/made

• lekhā: lines/markings (ritual demarcation)

• nirvāpeṣu: in the offering-places/at the deposited offerings (nirvāpa)

• avanejanam: washing, rinsing, purification by water.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Darbha (Kusha grass)
• Nirvāpa (offering-place/portion)

Tags

• Ritual
• Śrāddha
• Purification
• Darbha
• Ācāra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on precise ritual conduct—posture, ritual markings (lekhā), and purification (avanejana) during an offering procedure.

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

It reinforces the householder’s (and thus the king’s) duty to perform rites with discipline, purity, and a non-malicious mindset—key ethical conditions for Śrāddha-style offerings and dharmic maintenance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes (1) using darbha, (2) adopting a specific posture (left side/left knee), (3) drawing demarcation lines (lekhā) for the rite, and (4) performing avanejana (purificatory rinsing) at the nirvāpa offering spots.