Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds, Shloka 39

Devanagari script

एतान्यपि न देयानि पितृभ्यः प्रियमिच्छता पितॄन् प्रीणाति यो भक्त्या ते पुनः प्रीणयन्ति तम् //

Transliteration

etānyapi na deyāni pitṛbhyaḥ priyamicchatā pitṝn prīṇāti yo bhaktyā te punaḥ prīṇayanti tam //

Translation

Même ces choses ne doivent pas être offertes aux Pitṛ par celui qui recherche ce qui leur est cher (leur faveur). Celui qui réjouit les ancêtres avec dévotion, ces Pitṛ, en retour, le comblent et le bénissent.

Word by Word

• etāni api: even these (items just mentioned)

• na deyāni: should not be given/offered

• pitṛbhyaḥ: to the Pitṛs/ancestors

• priyam icchatā: by one desiring what is pleasing/beneficial (their satisfaction)

• pitṝn: the ancestors

• prīṇāti: gladdens/satisfies

• yaḥ: whoever

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• te: they (the Pitṛs)

• punaḥ: again/in return

• prīṇayanti: please/satisfy/bless

• tam: him (that devotee)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructor) to Vaivasvata Manu (listener)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (Ancestors)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-dharma
• Ritual purity
• Bhakti
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches Pitṛ-dharma—proper conduct in ancestor rites—stating that devotion and correct offerings bring the Pitṛs’ favor.

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

It reinforces the householder’s (and by extension a king’s) duty to perform Śrāddha correctly: avoid improper offerings and cultivate bhakti, because ancestral satisfaction is linked to the performer’s welfare and prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: in Śrāddha, certain items are prohibited; the verse emphasizes that sincere devotion and proper procedure are what truly please the Pitṛs and yield blessings in return.