Shloka 49

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

दक्षिणां दिशमाकाङ्क्षन् पितॄन् याचेत मानवः दातारो नो ऽभिवर्धन्तां वेदाः संततिरेव च //

Transliteration

dakṣiṇāṃ diśamākāṅkṣan pitṝn yāceta mānavaḥ dātāro no 'bhivardhantāṃ vedāḥ saṃtatireva ca //

Translation

Facing the southern quarter, a man should supplicate the Pitṛs (ancestral fathers): “May our benefactors increase; and may the Vedas—and our lineage—indeed flourish.”

Word by Word

• दक्षिणाम् (dakṣiṇām): the southern

• दिशम् (diśam): direction/quarter

• आकाङ्क्षन् (ākāṅkṣan): desiring/turning toward (i.e., facing)

• पितॄन् (pitṝn): the ancestors, Pitṛs

• याचेत (yāceta): should request/implore

• मानवः (mānavaḥ): a man (householder)

• दातारः (dātāraḥ): givers/benefactors/donors

• नः (naḥ): our

• अभिवर्धन्ताम् (abhivardhantām): may they increase, prosper

• वेदाः (vedāḥ): the Vedas/sacred learning

• संततिः (saṃtatiḥ): progeny/continuity of lineage

• एव (eva): indeed/only

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual guidance style)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitrs
• Vedas
• Dakshina Disha (South)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitrs
• Dharma
• Ritual
• Directions

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual orientation—facing south to address the Pitṛs and seek prosperity of donors, Vedic learning, and lineage continuity.

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

It presents a householder’s (and by extension a ruler’s) duty to honor ancestors through proper ritual conduct and prayer, linking social prosperity (“dātāraḥ”) with preservation of Vedic tradition and family lineage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes directional orientation: the south (dakṣiṇā diś) is the Pitṛ-associated quarter, so one should face south when invoking ancestors during śrāddha-like observances.