Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच कुर्यादहरहः श्राद्धम् अन्नाद्येनोदकेन वा पयोमूलफलैर् वापि पितृभ्यः प्रीतिमावहन् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca kuryādaharahaḥ śrāddham annādyenodakena vā payomūlaphalair vāpi pitṛbhyaḥ prītimāvahan //

Translation

Lord Matsya said: One should perform śrāddha every day—using cooked food and other offerings, or even with water alone, or with milk, roots, and fruits—thereby bringing satisfaction to the Pitṛs, the ancestral spirits.

Word by Word

मत्स्य उवाचMatsya said

कुर्यात्one should do/perform

अहः-अहःday by day, daily

श्राद्धम्śrāddha (ancestral rite/offerings)

अन्न-आद्येनwith food and related offerings

उदकेनwith water

वाor

पयःmilk

मूलroots/tubers

फलैःwith fruits

वा अपिor even

पितृभ्यःfor/to the Pitṛs (ancestors)

प्रीतिम्satisfaction/pleasure

आवहन्bringing about, causing.

Speaker

Lord Matsya (Matsya Avatāra of Viṣṇu)

Entities Mentioned

MatsyaPitṛsŚrāddha

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically, daily śrāddha offerings meant to sustain and satisfy the Pitṛs.

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

It frames śrāddha as a regular duty (especially for householders): even modest means—water, milk, roots, or fruits—are acceptable if offered with intent to honor and satisfy the ancestors.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it prescribes permissible śrāddha substances (food, water, milk, roots, fruits) and emphasizes consistency (daily performance) as the key to Pitṛ-prīti.