Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
प्रेताय तत ऊर्धवं च तस्यैव पुरुषत्रये पिण्डान् विनिर्वपेत्तद्वच्चतुरस्तु समाहितः
pretāya tata ūrdhavaṃ ca tasyaiva puruṣatraye piṇḍān vinirvapettadvaccaturastu samāhitaḥ
Sodann soll man für den Geist des Verstorbenen (preta) und danach für die darüberstehenden (höheren Ahnenzustände) ordnungsgemäß piṇḍas eben jenem Dreierkreis von „Personen“ (den drei väterlichen Ahnen) darbringen. In gleicher Weise soll der gefasste, gesammelt Handelnde entsprechend auch vier (piṇḍas) darbringen.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s common narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Stepwise piṇḍa-offering sequence in śrāddha/preta-kriyā: offerings to preta and then to the three paternal ancestors, with an additional set of four offerings as per rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍa-viniyoga for Preta and Pitṛ-traya","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍa-dāna","preta","pitṛ-traya","śrāddha-vidhi","catur-piṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Offer piṇḍas first for the preta and then for the three paternal ancestors; additionally perform the fourfold offering in the same pattern with focused composure."}
Concept: Ṛṇa (debt) to ancestors is discharged through correctly ordered offerings and mental steadiness (samāhita).
Application: Maintain clear separation of recipients (preta vs pitṛs) and perform offerings with attention and calm to avoid ritual confusion.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Funerary rites and post-death offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder in clean attire sits facing south, arranging piṇḍas on darbha with separate placements for preta and the three paternal ancestors, then preparing an additional fourfold offering set.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, south-facing śrāddha scene, priest and yajamāna seated on mat, darbha grass, four extra piṇḍas clearly shown, minimal background, temple-lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on ritual vessels and plates, stylized yajamāna offering piṇḍas, ornate border, emphasis on sacred order of placements","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional layout showing labeled placements: preta piṇḍa and pitṛ-traya piṇḍas plus four additional piṇḍas, calm domestic ritual setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic courtyard, precise arrangement of offerings on low wooden platform, attendants holding water-pot and plates, subdued solemn mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत ऊर्धवं → ततः ऊर्ध्वम्; विनिर्वपेत् तद्वत् → विनिर्वपेत् तद्वत्; तद्वत् चतुरः तु → तद्वच्चतुरस्तु (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (Śrāddha-vidhi: piṇḍa-viniyoga and sapīṇḍīkaraṇa context)
FAQs
It prescribes the procedural sequence of piṇḍa-offerings—first to the preta, then for the ‘higher’ ancestral state—directing offerings to the pitṛ-triad (puruṣa-traya) and additionally a set of four offerings in the same manner, performed with focused composure.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical dharma-rituals; here it records a precise śrāddha/preta-kriyā step (recipient sets and offering order), exemplifying its handbook-like coverage of rites alongside other sciences and disciplines.
Correct piṇḍa-dāna is held to support the departed’s transition from preta-condition toward pitṛ-status, satisfying ancestors and generating merit (puṇya) for the performer through fulfillment of pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors).