Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Legend of Acchodā: Pitṛloka

Devanagari script

इमाव् उत्पाद्य तनयौ क्षेत्रजावस्य धीमतः प्रौष्ठपद्यष्टकारूपा पितृलोके भविष्यसि //

Transliteration

imāv utpādya tanayau kṣetrajāvasya dhīmataḥ prauṣṭhapadyaṣṭakārūpā pitṛloke bhaviṣyasi //

Translation

Having brought forth these two sons for the wise man by kṣetraja-procreation, you shall dwell in the world of the Fathers (Pitṛloka), assuming the form of Aṣṭakā in the month of Prauṣṭhapada.

Word by Word

• imau: these two

• utpādya: having produced/brought forth

• tanayau: two sons

• kṣetrajāvasya: of the kṣetraja-type (offspring produced for another, by appointment)

• dhīmataḥ: of the wise man

• prauṣṭhapadya: belonging to (the month) Prauṣṭhapada

• aṣṭakā-rūpā: in the form of Aṣṭakā (the ancestral-rite day/observance called Aṣṭakā)

• pitṛloke: in Pitṛloka, the world of the ancestors

• bhaviṣyasi: you will become/you will be.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (context: early Matsya Purana dialogue-frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛloka
• Aṣṭakā
• Prauṣṭhapada

Tags

• Pitṛloka
• Śrāddha
• Kṣetraja
• Genealogy
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic lineage-continuation (kṣetraja offspring) and the resulting post-death attainment of Pitṛloka connected with Aṣṭakā observances.

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

It reinforces the householder-ideal of sustaining lineage and fulfilling ancestral obligations; producing legitimate progeny (including the appointed kṣetraja model in specific dharmic contexts) is linked to merit and the Pitṛloka destination.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual marker is Aṣṭakā—an ancestral-rite observance—specifically tied to Prauṣṭhapada; the verse implies a śrāddha-centered calendrical identity rather than any Vāstu/temple-building rule.