Śrāddha in the Matsya Purāṇa

The Matsya Purāṇa discusses the subject of Śrāddha along with the description of dāna, Kalpa and Vow. The 15th chapter of the Purāṇa talks about how to do patriarchy. During the Śrāddha , the Śrāddha Kartā has offer first to Agni, Soma and Yama the food then offered to the fathers. If there is no fire, it can be given into the hands of a Brahmin, even in water.³⁴⁶ The fathers always lived in the sky and the south side was considered right for them. Sesame, coconut fruit, cow’s milk, honey juice, straw, iron, honey, Kuśa, unripe rice, barley, mug, sugarcane, white flower and ghee are the favorite items of fathers (MP-15/34, 35). On the other hand, lentils, black Kalai, beans, Kusum flower, Lotus, bell fruit, madār , Dhuturā , neem, fir, goat’s or sheep’s milk are not favorite of the fathers, so these items are not given for Śrāddha (MP-15/37).

Śrāddha is of three types–

1. Nitya (daily),
2. Naimittika (Casual) and
3. Kāmya (desirable).

There are some parts of Nitya Śrāddha . Such as–Pārvana Śrāddha . The rules of this Śrāddha and what kind of Brahmins can be invited to eat are explained in detail in the 16th chapter. Chapter 17 describes the general and AbhyudāyikaŚrāddha of the Matsya Purāṇa . Chapter 18 discusses Ekodiṣṭa and Sapindikarana Śrāddha . It has been said that the fathers are in Vasugana , Grand fathers are in Rudragana and the Great-grand-fathers are in Adityagana . At the time of Śrāddha , if the Havya & Kavya objects are offered to the father in the right way, that is, by chanting the correct name, clan and mantra, then those objects must reach to the father. Even if the father leaves at birth, the object reaches there and makes the father happy. Even if they are born, it reaches that birth. The details of which Yoni reaches these Yoni are also given in chapter 19. In this way Śrāddhahas been discussed throughout the Matsya Purāṇa in several chapters.