Shloka 47

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

आचान्तेषु पुनर्दद्याज् जलपुष्पाक्षतोदकम् स्वस्तिवाचनकं सर्वं पिण्डोपरि समाहरेत् //

Transliteration

ācānteṣu punardadyāj jalapuṣpākṣatodakam svastivācanakaṃ sarvaṃ piṇḍopari samāharet //

Translation

After they have performed ācamana (ritual sipping of water), one should again offer water together with flowers and unbroken grains (akṣata); and one should gather and place all the auspicious recitations (svasti-formulas) over the piṇḍa (rice-ball offering).

Word by Word

• ācānteṣu: when (they) have sipped water ritually/after ācamana

• punaḥ: again

• dadyāt: one should give/offer

• jala: water

• puṣpa: flowers

• akṣata: unbroken rice grains

• udakam: water-offering

• svasti-vācanakam: auspicious benedictions/recitations of ‘svasti’

• sarvam: all (of it)

• piṇḍa-upari: upon/over the piṇḍa (funerary rice-ball)

• samāharet: one should collect, gather, and place/arrange

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Piṇḍa
• Svasti (benediction formulas)
• Ācamana

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Ritual Procedure
• Pitṛs
• Dharma
• Mantra

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on correct śrāddha procedure—post-ācamana offerings and auspicious recitations placed over the piṇḍa.

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

It outlines a householder’s dharma in performing ancestor rites: after ācamana, offer udaka with flowers and akṣata and conclude with svasti-recitation arranged over the piṇḍa, emphasizing orderly, auspicious completion of śrāddha.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it prescribes the sequence—ācamana, then a renewed water-offering with flowers and akṣata, and the formal placement/association of svasti-vācanas with the piṇḍa offering.