Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Legend of Acchodā: Pitṛloka

Devanagari script

आजग्मुः पितरस्तुष्टाः किल दातुं च तां वरम् दिव्यरूपधराः सर्वे दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपनाः //

Transliteration

ājagmuḥ pitarastuṣṭāḥ kila dātuṃ ca tāṃ varam divyarūpadharāḥ sarve divyamālyānulepanāḥ //

Translation

Then the Pitṛs, pleased indeed, came intent on granting her that boon—each assuming a celestial form, all adorned with divine garlands and sacred unguents.

Word by Word

• ājagmuḥ: came/arrived

• pitaraḥ: the Pitṛs/ancestors

• tuṣṭāḥ: pleased/satisfied

• kila: indeed/truly (emphatic particle)

• dātum: to give/bestow

• ca: and

• tām: to her/that (feminine accusative)

• varam: boon/blessing

• divya-rūpa-dharāḥ: assuming celestial forms

• sarve: all

• divya-mālya-anulepanāḥ: wearing divine garlands and (smeared with) divine unguents/perfumes

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the event (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs

Tags

• Pitṛs
• Śrāddha
• Boon
• Ritual Merit
• Ancestral Blessings

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it highlights a dharma-ritual principle: when the Pitṛs are satisfied (typically through śrāddha, offerings, and proper conduct), they can manifest auspiciously and confer blessings.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of maintaining Pitṛ-yajña (ancestral obligation). Proper śrāddha, hospitality, and dāna are portrayed as producing tangible spiritual results—ancestral satisfaction and the granting of boons—thus reinforcing righteous governance and household discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the Pitṛ-centered śrāddha ethos: ancestors appear in “divine form” when rites are correctly performed, implying purity, proper offerings, and sanctified adornment—key markers of successful ritual procedure rather than a Vāstu/temple-building rule.