Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

दक्षिणाभिमुखः कुर्यात् करे दर्वीं निधाय वै निधाय पिण्डम् एकैकं सर्वदर्भेष्वनुक्रमात् //

Transliteration

dakṣiṇābhimukhaḥ kuryāt kare darvīṃ nidhāya vai nidhāya piṇḍam ekaikaṃ sarvadarbheṣvanukramāt //

Translation

Facing south, he should perform the rite, holding the ladle (darvī) in his hand, and then place each piṇḍa (rice-ball offering) one by one, in due sequence, upon all the darbha-grass arrangements.

Word by Word

• dakṣiṇābhimukhaḥ: facing south

• kuryāt: should do/perform

• kare: in (his) hand

• darvīm: the ladle/spoon used in rites

• nidhāya: having placed/holding/setting (down)

• vai: indeed

• nidhāya piṇḍam: having placed the piṇḍa (rice-ball offering)

• ekaikam: one by one

• sarva-darbheṣu: on/among all the darbha-grass (placements)

• anukramāt: in order, sequentially

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within ritual discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Darbha
• Piṇḍa
• Darvī
• Pitṛs (implied)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-karma
• Ritual procedure
• Darbha
• Piṇḍa-dāna

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a procedural instruction for Śrāddha/Pitṛ rites, specifying direction (south) and the ordered placement of piṇḍas on darbha.

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

It frames Pitṛ obligations as a disciplined dharma-duty: a householder (and likewise a king as exemplar) should conduct ancestral offerings with correct orientation, tools, and sequence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it mandates south-facing posture (associated with Pitṛs), use of the darvī as the handling implement, and sequential placement of piṇḍas on darbha—highlighting precision in śrauta/smārta-style procedure rather than Vāstu architecture.