Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 48
अध्याय ११७ — श्राद्धकल्पः
The Procedure for Śrāddha
महाशल्काश् च वर्षासु मघाश्राद्धमथाक्षयं मन्त्राध्याय्यग्निहोत्री च शाखाध्यायी षडङ्गवित्
mahāśalkāś ca varṣāsu maghāśrāddhamathākṣayaṃ mantrādhyāyyagnihotrī ca śākhādhyāyī ṣaḍaṅgavit
Und (man soll) in der Regenzeit das Mahāśalkā-Ritual beobachten; sodann das Śrāddha, das unter dem Sternbild Maghā zu vollziehen ist, und danach das Akṣaya-Ritual. (Ein geeigneter Offiziant ist) wer die Mantras studiert, das Agnihotra unterhält, eine vedische Śākhā studiert und in den sechs Hilfswissenschaften (Vedāṅgas) bewandert ist.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual calendar guidance (seasonal rite, nakshatra-based śrāddha, akṣaya rite) and qualifications of an officiant grounded in Vedic study and Vedāṅgas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Seasonal and nakṣatra rites; qualifications of a śrāddha officiant","lookup_keywords":["Mahāśalkā","Maghā śrāddha","Akṣaya rite","Agnihotra","Vedāṅga"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes when to perform specific rites (rainy season, Maghā constellation) and defines the competent performer as one trained in mantra, agnihotra, śākhā study, and the six Vedāṅgas."}
Concept: Kāla (proper time) and adhikāra (eligibility) are essential for ritual efficacy.
Application: Schedule rites by season and nakṣatra; select officiants with demonstrable Vedic discipline and Vedāṅga competence.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi & Vedic Duties (Smārta-Dharma / Ritual Calendar)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual calendar scene: monsoon clouds over a homa-altar for Mahāśalkā; a star-map highlighting Maghā for śrāddha; then an Akṣaya rite. A learned priest is shown with Veda manuscripts and six Vedāṅga symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych: rainy-season rite at fire altar, nakshatra Magha depicted in a celestial band, Akshaya rite with offerings; priest with palm-leaf manuscripts; temple mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central agnihotra with gold haloed fire, side medallion of Maghā constellation, ornate offering vessels for Akṣaya; rich gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional calendar layout: monsoon icon, Maghā star diagram, Akṣaya label; priest holding Veda, icons for six Vedāṅgas; clean lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly-ritual scene: Brahmin officiant with manuscripts, assistants preparing śrāddha; sky band with constellation; detailed domestic courtyard and altar."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"formal","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महाशल्काश् च = महाशल्काः + च (visarga before c); मघाश्राद्धम् = मघा + श्राद्धम्; अथाक्षयम् = अथ + अक्षयम्; मन्त्राध्यायी = मन्त्र + अध्यायी; षडङ्गवित् = षड् + अङ्गवित् (d + aṅga → ḍaṅga).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 117 (Śrāddha-vidhi and duties)
FAQs
It lists specific seasonal and nakṣatra-based ancestral rites (Mahāśalkā in the rains, Maghā-śrāddha, and an Akṣaya observance) and defines the qualifications of a competent Vedic ritual performer (mantra-study, Agnihotra, śākhā-study, and Vedāṅga expertise).
It combines multiple knowledge-systems in one instruction: ritual law (śrāddha-vidhi), calendrical astronomy (nakṣatra Maghā), Vedic liturgy (mantra and Agnihotra), and scholastic prerequisites (Vedāṅgas and śākhā learning), demonstrating the text’s catalog-like coverage of dharma and practice.
By performing śrāddha at prescribed times and through a properly qualified officiant, the rite is held to become more efficacious—supporting ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-tarpaṇa), personal purification, and the accrual of enduring (akṣaya) religious merit.
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