Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

श्रोत्रियः श्रोत्रियसुतो विधिवाक्यविशारदः सर्वज्ञो वेदविन्मन्त्री ज्ञातवंशः कुलान्वितः //

Transliteration

śrotriyaḥ śrotriyasuto vidhivākyaviśāradaḥ sarvajño vedavinmantrī jñātavaṃśaḥ kulānvitaḥ //

Translation

He should be a śrotriya (a Brahmin trained in the Veda and grounded in tradition), born of a śrotriya, skilled in authoritative injunctions of ritual and law, broadly learned, a knower of the Vedas and fit to serve as a minister—of known lineage and well-established family.

Word by Word

• श्रोत्रियः (śrotriyaḥ): a Veda-trained orthodox scholar

• श्रोत्रियसुतः (śrotriyasutaḥ): son of a śrotriya

• विधिवाक्यविशारदः (vidhivākyaviśāradaḥ): expert in prescriptive statements/injunctions (of ritual and dharma)

• सर्वज्ञः (sarvajñaḥ): broadly knowledgeable, well-informed

• वेदवित् (vedavit): knower of the Vedas

• मन्त्री (mantrī): counsellor/minister

• ज्ञातवंशः (jñātavaṃśaḥ): of known lineage, reputable ancestry

• कुलान्वितः (kulānvitaḥ): endowed with a good family, well-connected by family tradition

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Veda
• Mantri

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Minister
• Brahmin qualifications
• Vedic learning
• Lineage

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it sets ethical and scholarly qualifications for a minister/royal adviser, emphasizing Vedic learning and reputable lineage.

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

It guides a king’s duty of appointing competent advisers: a ruler should choose counsellors who are Veda-trained, skilled in dharma/ritual injunctions, and socially reputable, ensuring governance aligned with dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is implicit in “vidhi-vākya” expertise: the adviser/priest must understand prescriptive ritual rules and dharma injunctions, though no specific Vastu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.