Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite, Shloka 12

Devanagari script

विविक्तेषूपलिप्तेषु श्राद्धं देयं विजानता विप्रान्पूर्वे परे चाह्नि विनीतात्मा निमन्त्रयेत् //

Transliteration

vivikteṣūpalipteṣu śrāddhaṃ deyaṃ vijānatā viprānpūrve pare cāhni vinītātmā nimantrayet //

Translation

Orang yang mengetahui tata cara hendaknya memberikan śrāddha di tempat yang sunyi dan baru diplester (disucikan). Dengan batin yang rendah hati dan terkendali, ia hendaknya mengundang para brāhmaṇa pada pagi hari atau sore hari.

Word by Word

• vivikteṣu: in secluded (places)

• upalipteṣu: in plastered/smeared (purified) places

• śrāddham: śrāddha, ancestral offering

• deyam: should be given/offered

• vijānatā: by one who knows (the rule)

• viprān: Brāhmaṇas

• pūrve: in the earlier (part of the day), forenoon

• pare: in the later (part of the day), afternoon

• ca: and

• ahni: on the day/at daytime

• vinīta-ātmā: one whose mind/self is disciplined and humble

• nimantrayet: should invite (formally request).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and ritual propriety)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇas (viprāḥ)
• Pitṛs (implied through śrāddha)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual purity
• Brāhmaṇa invitation
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of correct śrāddha procedure—purity of place, proper timing, and respectful conduct.

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

It presents a gṛhastha-duty: performing ancestral rites with cleanliness, correct timing, and humility, especially by properly inviting qualified Brāhmaṇas—an ethical-ritual obligation upheld in Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it mandates a vivikta (secluded) and upalipta (freshly plastered/purified) space for śrāddha, highlighting controlled sacred space preparation rather than temple architecture proper.