Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types, Shloka 4

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच कुर्यादहरहः श्राद्धम् अन्नाद्येनोदकेन वा पयोमूलफलैर् वापि पितृभ्यः प्रीतिमावहन् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca kuryādaharahaḥ śrāddham annādyenodakena vā payomūlaphalair vāpi pitṛbhyaḥ prītimāvahan //

Translation

मत्स्य भगवान म्हणाले—दररोज श्राद्ध करावे; शिजवलेल्या अन्नादि पदार्थांनी, किंवा फक्त पाण्याने, अथवा दूध, कंदमुळे व फळांनीही—अशा प्रकारे पितरांना प्रीती प्राप्त होते.

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• कुर्यात्: one should do/perform

• अहः-अहः: day by day, daily

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha (ancestral rite/offerings)

• अन्न-आद्येन: with food and related offerings

• उदकेन: with water

• वा: or

• पयः: milk

• मूल: roots/tubers

• फलैः: with fruits

• वा अपि: or even

• पितृभ्यः: for/to the Pitṛs (ancestors)

• प्रीतिम्: satisfaction/pleasure

• आवहन्: bringing about, causing.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Matsya Avatāra of Viṣṇu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Pitṛs
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-tarpaṇa
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Daily ritual
• Ancestral rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically, daily śrāddha offerings meant to sustain and satisfy the Pitṛs.

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

It frames śrāddha as a regular duty (especially for householders): even modest means—water, milk, roots, or fruits—are acceptable if offered with intent to honor and satisfy the ancestors.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it prescribes permissible śrāddha substances (food, water, milk, roots, fruits) and emphasizes consistency (daily performance) as the key to Pitṛ-prīti.