Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

अदैवं तद्विजानीयात् पार्वणं पर्वसु स्मृतम् पार्वणं त्रिविधं प्रोक्तं शृणु तावन्महीपते //

Transliteration

adaivaṃ tadvijānīyāt pārvaṇaṃ parvasu smṛtam pārvaṇaṃ trividhaṃ proktaṃ śṛṇu tāvanmahīpate //

Translation

Know this as ‘a-daiva’—not offered to the gods. The rite called ‘pārvaṇa’ is remembered as that which is performed on parva (junction) days. The pārvaṇa is declared to be of three kinds—listen, O king.

Word by Word

adaivamnot for the devas / non-deva offering

tatthat

vijānīyātone should understand/know

pārvaṇamthe pārvaṇa rite (parva-related śrāddha/rite)

parvasuon parva days/junctions (e.g., new moon/full moon and other calendrical nodes)

smṛtamis remembered/declared in tradition

pārvaṇamthe pārvaṇa rite

trividhamthreefold/of three types

proktamhas been stated/expounded

śṛṇulisten

tāvatnow/thereupon

mahīpateO lord of the earth (king).

Speaker

Lord Matsya (instructing the King)

Entities Mentioned

Lord MatsyaMahīpati (King)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it defines ritual classification—specifically that the pārvaṇa performed on calendrical parva days is treated as ‘adaiva’ (not a deva-offering), pointing instead to pitṛ-oriented observances.

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

It frames a king/householder’s dharma as knowing correct ritual categories and timings: pārvaṇa rites are tied to parva days and must be understood properly, since royal and domestic merit depends on performing śrāddha and related duties according to śāstra.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: ‘pārvaṇa’ is a parva-day observance and is explicitly said to be threefold, introducing a technical taxonomy used in śrāddha/pitṛ ritual procedure rather than temple architecture.