Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

यस्मादन्नाद्धृता मात्रा भक्षयन्ति द्विजातयः अन्वाहार्यकम् इत्युक्तं तस्मात्तच्चन्द्रसंक्षये //

Transliteration

yasmādannāddhṛtā mātrā bhakṣayanti dvijātayaḥ anvāhāryakam ityuktaṃ tasmāttaccandrasaṃkṣaye //

Translation

Because the twice-born (dvija) partake of a measured portion taken from the cooked food, it is therefore called “anvāhāryaka”; hence this rite is performed during the waning of the moon.

Word by Word

• yasmāt: because

• annāt: from food (cooked offering)

• dhṛtā: taken/held aside

• mātrā: a measured portion/quantity

• bhakṣayanti: they eat/partake

• dvijātayaḥ: the twice-born (Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya)

• anvāhāryakam: the ‘anvāhārya/anvāhāryaka’ offering/rite

• iti: thus

• uktaṃ: is said/called

• tasmāt: therefore

• tat: that (rite)

• candra-saṃkṣaye: at the moon’s diminution/waning (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa timing).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvijātis
• Chandra (Moon)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Anvāhārya
• Ritual timing
• Dharma
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it explains a ritual term (anvāhāryaka) and specifies its proper lunar timing during the waning moon.

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

It supports gṛhastha-dharma by prescribing how offerings/food portions are to be set aside and given for ritual consumption by qualified dvijātis, and by fixing the observance to the waning lunar phase.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: it defines ‘anvāhāryaka’ as a measured portion taken from prepared food and links the rite to candra-saṃkṣaya (the moon’s waning), indicating precise calendrical discipline in performance.