Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

ततो गृहीत्वा पिण्डेभ्यो मात्राः सर्वाः क्रमेण तु तानेव विप्रान्प्रथमं प्राशयेद्यत्नतो नरः //

Transliteration

tato gṛhītvā piṇḍebhyo mātrāḥ sarvāḥ krameṇa tu tāneva viprānprathamaṃ prāśayedyatnato naraḥ //

Translation

Then, taking in due order all the measured portions from the piṇḍas, the man should carefully have those very Brahmins partake of them first.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• gṛhītvā: having taken

• piṇḍebhyaḥ: from the piṇḍas (rice-balls offered in śrāddha)

• mātrāḥ: measured portions/quantities

• sarvāḥ: all

• krameṇa: in sequence, step-by-step

• tu: indeed

• tān eva: those very (same)

• viprān: Brahmins

• prathamam: first

• prāśayet: should cause to eat/should feed

• yatnataḥ: with care, diligently

• naraḥ: a man (the performer of the rite)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s ritual discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Piṇḍa (śrāddha rice-ball)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Ritual procedure
• Householder Dharma
• Brahmin feeding

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it concerns śrāddha procedure, emphasizing orderly handling of piṇḍa portions and proper feeding protocol.

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

It frames a key gṛhastha (householder) duty: performing ancestral rites correctly—measuring portions, following sequence (krama), and respectfully feeding qualified Brahmins as part of pitṛ-kārya.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it prescribes that portions taken from the piṇḍas should be given in proper order and that the officiating Brahmins are to be fed first—highlighting precision (mātrā) and sequence (krama) in śrāddha.