Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite, Shloka 14

Devanagari script

भोजयेत्सुसमृद्धो ऽपि न प्रसज्जते विस्तरे विश्वान्देवान्यवैः पुष्पैर् अभ्यर्च्यासनपूर्वकम् //

Transliteration

bhojayetsusamṛddho 'pi na prasajjate vistare viśvāndevānyavaiḥ puṣpair abhyarcyāsanapūrvakam //

Translation

Walaupun sangat makmur, hendaknya ia menjamu (memberi makan), namun jangan terpikat pada kemewahan yang berlebihan. Setelah terlebih dahulu mempersembahkan tempat duduk, hendaknya ia memuja semua dewa dengan biji jelai dan bunga.

Word by Word

• bhojayet: should feed/entertain (as a duty)

• su-samṛddhaḥ api: even if very wealthy

• na prasajjate: should not cling/become attached (to excess)

• vistare: to lavish expansion/extravagance

• viśvān devān: all the gods

• yavaiḥ: with barley grains

• puṣpaiḥ: with flowers

• abhyarcya: having duly worshipped

• āsana-pūrvakam: preceded by offering a seat (with proper reception)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• All Devas

Tags

• Dharma
• Householder
• Deva-puja
• Ritual
• Moderation

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic conduct—moderation and the proper method of worship.

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

It teaches that even the affluent (including rulers and householders) should avoid ostentation and follow disciplined ritual etiquette—honoring first with a seat and then performing worship with simple, pure offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes āsana-pūrvakam—offering a seat as a formal act of reception before worship—along with standard pūjā materials (yava and flowers) as simple, sanctioned offerings.