Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

पूर्वं दत्त्वा तु तद्धस्ते सपवित्रं तिलोदकम् तत्पिण्डाग्रं प्रयच्छेत स्वधैषामस्त्विति ब्रुवन् //

Transliteration

pūrvaṃ dattvā tu taddhaste sapavitraṃ tilodakam tatpiṇḍāgraṃ prayaccheta svadhaiṣāmastviti bruvan //

Translation

First, placing sesame-water (tilodaka) together with the pavitra (sacred ring/grass) into his hand, one should then offer the foremost portion of the piṇḍa (rice-ball), saying, “Let this be for them—svadhā.”

Word by Word

• pūrvam: first

• dattvā: having given/placing

• tu: then/indeed

• tad-haste: in his hand

• sa-pavitram: together with the pavitra (sacred ring/kuśa)

• tila-udakam: water mixed with sesame

• tat-piṇḍa-agram: the foremost portion of that piṇḍa (rice-ball offering)

• prayacchet: one should offer/present

• svadhā: the ritual exclamation/address for the Pitṛs (manes)

• eṣām: of these (ancestors)

• astu: let it be

• iti: thus

• bruvan: saying/uttering.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu the śrāddha procedure)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Svadhā
• Piṇḍa
• Tilodaka
• Pavitra (kuśa ring)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-yajña
• Ritual procedure
• Dharma
• Ancestral rites

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on śrāddha ritual protocol—how offerings are formally presented to the Pitṛs using tilodaka, piṇḍa, and the utterance “svadhā.”

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

It outlines Pitṛ-yajña (ancestral duty), a key obligation of householders (and kings as exemplary householders), prescribing the correct sequence: first tilodaka with pavitra, then the chief portion of the piṇḍa, accompanied by the svadhā formula.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: tilodaka (sesame-water) and pavitra (kuśa ring/grass) function as purificatory implements, and “svadhā” is the formal dedicatory utterance that marks the offering as intended for the Pitṛs.