Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types, Shloka 12

Devanagari script

सामस्वरविधिज्ञश्च पङ्क्तिपावनपावनः सामगो ब्रह्मचारी च वेदयुक्तो ऽथ ब्रह्मवित् //

Transliteration

sāmasvaravidhijñaśca paṅktipāvanapāvanaḥ sāmago brahmacārī ca vedayukto 'tha brahmavit //

Translation

ਉਹ ਸਾਮ-ਗਾਨ ਦੇ ਸੁਰ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਧੀ ਦਾ ਗਿਆਤਾ ਹੋਵੇ; ਪੰਕਤੀ (ਭੋਜਨ-ਪੰਕਤੀ) ਨੂੰ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਪ ਵੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੋਵੇ; ਸਾਮਗਾਇਕ, ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਾਰੀ, ਵੇਦ-ਨਿਸ਼ਠ—ਅਤੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਚਿਤ ਹੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਵਿਦ ਹੋਵੇ।

Word by Word

• sāma-svara-vidhi-jñaḥ: knower of the rules (vidhi) of Sāma tones/notes

• ca: and

• paṅkti-pāvana-pāvanaḥ: purifier of the paṅkti (row/company at a rite or meal) and himself purified/most pure

• sāmagaḥ: chanter/singer of Sāman hymns (Sāmavedin)

• brahmacārī: one observing brahmacarya (celibate Vedic student-discipline)

• ca: and

• veda-yuktaḥ: yoked to/grounded in the Veda (Veda-trained, Veda-disciplined)

• atha: then/indeed

• brahma-vit: knower of Brahman (ultimate reality).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and qualifications)

Entities Mentioned

• Sāmaveda
• Brahman

Tags

• Dharma
• Veda
• Brahmacarya
• Brahmana-qualities
• Ritual-purity

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it defines Vedic-ethical qualifications—especially purity, correct chant-knowledge, and Brahman-realization—as enduring dharmic standards regardless of cosmic cycles.

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

It supplies a standard for whom a king or householder should honor, employ for rites, or invite to śrāddha and yajña: a disciplined Sāmavedin who preserves ritual correctness, maintains purity, and embodies brahmavidyā.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual emphasis is on precise Sāmaveda intonation (svara-vidhi) and paṅkti-pāvana—ensuring the ritual/feast assembly remains pure—key concerns for properly conducted yajñas and śrāddhas.