Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

नित्यं नैमित्तिकं काम्यं त्रिविधं श्राद्धमुच्यते नित्यं तावत्प्रवक्ष्यामि अर्घ्यावाहनवर्जितम् //

Transliteration

nityaṃ naimittikaṃ kāmyaṃ trividhaṃ śrāddhamucyate nityaṃ tāvatpravakṣyāmi arghyāvāhanavarjitam //

Translation

Śrāddha is said to be of three kinds—daily (nitya), occasional (naimittika), and desire-motivated (kāmya). First I shall explain the daily śrāddha, performed without the arghya offering and without formal invocation (āvāhana).

Word by Word

• नित्यं (nityaṃ): daily/regular

• नैमित्तिकं (naimittikaṃ): occasional, prompted by a specific cause (e.g., tithi, death anniversary, eclipse)

• काम्यं (kāmyaṃ): performed for a desired result

• त्रिविधं (trividhaṃ): threefold

• श्राद्धम् (śrāddham): ancestral rite offered with faith

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/is called

• नित्यं (nityaṃ): the daily type

• तावत् (tāvat): first/for now

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I will explain

• अर्घ्य (arghya): respectful water-offering

• आवाहन (āvāhana): formal invocation/calling (of pitṛs/deities)

• वर्जितम् (varjitam): omitted/without.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Arghya
• Āvāhana

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-dharma
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual procedure
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it classifies śrāddha (ancestor rites) and introduces the daily (nitya) form, focusing on ritual discipline rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It directly supports gṛhastha-dharma: maintaining regular ancestral observances. Even rulers are expected to uphold pitṛ-dharma, but the verse specifically frames a practical, daily śrāddha model.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: the nitya-śrāddha described here is performed without arghya and without formal āvāhana, implying a simplified daily rite distinct from more elaborate ceremonial śrāddhas.