Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

आधत्त पितरो गर्भम् अत्र संतानवर्धनम् तावदुच्छेषणं तिष्ठेद् यावद्विप्रा विसर्जिताः //

Transliteration

ādhatta pitaro garbham atra saṃtānavardhanam tāvaduccheṣaṇaṃ tiṣṭhed yāvadviprā visarjitāḥ //

Translation

Here the Pitṛs (ancestral spirits) bestow conception and increase of progeny. Therefore, one should keep the remaining food (the leavings of the rite/meal) in place until the Brahmins have been formally dismissed.

Word by Word

• ādhatta: place/implant/bestow

• pitaro (pitaraḥ): the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• garbham: embryo, conception

• atra: here, in this rite/context

• saṃtāna-vardhanam: increase of lineage/progeny

• tāvat: until then/so long

• ucchēṣaṇam: remnants, leavings (of food/offerings)

• tiṣṭhet: should remain/should be kept

• yāvat: until

• viprāḥ: Brahmins

• visarjitāḥ: dismissed/seen off with leave

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely ritual guidance context)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Vipras (Brahmins)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitṛs
• Gṛhastha Dharma
• Anna-dāna
• Ritual etiquette

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches ritual causality—honoring the Pitṛs through proper śrāddha etiquette is said to support conception and the growth of one’s lineage.

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

It instructs the householder (and by extension a ruler who models dharma) to maintain śrāddha discipline: keep the ritual food-remnants undisturbed and complete the rite properly by formally dismissing the invited Brahmins.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: the ‘ucchēṣaṇa’ (remnants) must remain until the vipras are respectfully sent off, reflecting strict procedural timing in ancestral rites and Brahmin-feeding protocols.