Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
संस्कृत्य यादवान् पार्थो दत्तोदकधनादिकः स्त्रियोष्टावक्रशापेन भार्या विष्णोश् च याः स्थिताः
saṃskṛtya yādavān pārtho dattodakadhanādikaḥ striyoṣṭāvakraśāpena bhāryā viṣṇoś ca yāḥ sthitāḥ
যাদৱসকলৰ বিধিপূৰ্বক অন্ত্যেষ্টি কৰি পাৰ্থে জলাঞ্জলি আৰু ধনাদি দান দিলে; যিসকল নাৰী ৰ’ল—বিষ্ণুৰ পত্নীসকল—সেইসকল অষ্টাৱক্ৰৰ শাপৰ ফলত (এনেদৰে) আছিল।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Guides proper post-death rites (antyeṣṭi, udaka-dāna, dāna) and frames social-ritual obligations even for heroes; also contextualizes narrative causality via śāpa (curse).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Antyeṣṭi for the Yādavas: Udaka-dāna and Dāna; Aftermath of Aṣṭāvakra-śāpa","lookup_keywords":["antyeṣṭi","udaka-dāna","dāna","Arjuna","Aṣṭāvakra-śāpa"],"quick_summary":"Arjuna performs the Yādavas’ funerary rites with water-oblation and gifts; the remaining women, identified as Vishnu’s consorts, are linked to the unfolding consequence of Aṣṭāvakra’s curse—ritual duty amid tragic destiny."}
Concept: Dharma persists in crisis: proper rites and dāna must be performed even when events are driven by inexorable narrative causality (śāpa/kāla).
Application: In bereavement, prioritize prescribed rites, charity, and orderly closure; interpret misfortune without abandoning duty.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narrative (Yadava-Krishna lineage and post-war rites)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: dharma
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Arjuna performs funerary rites for the Yādavas: water oblations and distribution of gifts; grieving women remain in the background, with an ominous sense of a curse shaping events.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: riverside/cremation-ground rite scene—Arjuna offering water with cupped hands, ritual vessels, priests; women in subdued posture; traditional stylization and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ceremonial composition with Arjuna in regal attire performing udaka-dāna, gold accents on ritual vessels and ornaments; background figures of widows/consorts; solemn devotional framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional clarity—show udaka vessel, darbha grass, offering posture; Arjuna centered; soft palette emphasizing dharmic rite.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ritual scene with attendants distributing gifts, Arjuna at water’s edge, expressive faces of mourners, fine textiles and objects, restrained color mood."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दत्तोदकधनादिकः = दत्त-उदक-धन-आदिकः; स्त्रियोष्टावक्रशापेन = स्त्रियः + अष्टावक्र-शापेन; विष्णोश् च = विष्णोः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: śrāddha/antyeṣṭi/dāna-related chapters (where present); Agni Purana: Krishna-Yādava concluding narrative
FAQs
It references antyeṣṭi-related duties: performing proper post-death rites (saṃskāra), offering water-oblation (udaka), and giving gifts/charity (dāna such as wealth) as part of funerary observances.
It blends puranic history (Yādava episode, Arjuna’s actions) with practical dharma (funerary rites, udaka-offering, dāna), showing how the text integrates narrative, ritual procedure, and karmic causality.
The verse implies that proper rites and charitable offerings support dharmic closure after death, while also highlighting how destinies unfold under prior karmic causes such as a sage’s curse (Aṣṭāvakra-śāpa).