Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

ततः कृत्वान्तरे दद्यात् पत्नीभ्यो ऽन्नं कुशेषु सः तद्वत्पिण्डादिके कुर्याद् आवाहनविसर्जनम् //

Transliteration

tataḥ kṛtvāntare dadyāt patnībhyo 'nnaṃ kuśeṣu saḥ tadvatpiṇḍādike kuryād āvāhanavisarjanam //

Translation

Then, after observing the proper interval between the offerings, he should place portions of food for the wives of the invoked ancestors upon the kuśa grass. Likewise, with regard to the piṇḍa offerings and the rest, he should perform the rites of invocation (āvāhana) and dismissal (visarjana).

Word by Word

• tataḥ: thereafter

• kṛtvā: having done/made

• antare: in the interval/between (offerings)

• dadyāt: he should give/offer

• patnībhyaḥ: to the wives

• annam: food

• kuśeṣu: on kuśa-grass (seats/blades)

• saḥ: he (the performer)

• tadvat: in the same manner

• piṇḍa-ādike: with the piṇḍa offerings etc. (ancillary offerings/acts)

• kuryāt: he should perform

• āvāhana: invocation/bringing near (ritual invitation)

• visarjanam: dismissal/sending away (ritual conclusion).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuśa grass
• Patnīs (wives of the Pitṛs/ancestors)
• Piṇḍa (rice-ball offering)
• Āvāhana
• Visarjana

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Gṛhastha Dharma
• Ritual Procedure
• Offerings

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on śrāddha ritual order—timed offerings, and the formal invitation and dismissal of ancestral presences.

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

It gives a householder’s dharma: performing ancestral rites correctly—offering food (anna) and piṇḍa with proper sequencing and ritual protocol (āvāhana/visarjana), ensuring completeness and respect in śrāddha.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights kuśa as the prescribed medium/seat for offerings and stresses procedural correctness: spacing the offerings and concluding with āvāhana (invocation) and visarjana (dismissal) for piṇḍa and related acts.