Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 54
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
दानश्राद्धादिकर्म चेति झ एवं मातामहाचार्यप्रेतानाञ्चोदकक्रिया काम्योदकं सखिप्रेतस्वस्रीयश्वश्रुरर्त्विजां
dānaśrāddhādikarma ceti jha evaṃ mātāmahācāryapretānāñcodakakriyā kāmyodakaṃ sakhipretasvasrīyaśvaśrurartvijāṃ
Thus one should perform acts such as charity (dāna) and śrāddha. In this manner the water-offering rite (udaka-kriyā) is to be done for departed ones such as the maternal grandfather and the teacher (ācārya). Likewise, a desire-motivated water-offering (kāmya-udaka) may be performed for others—such as a friend, one connected through friendship, a sister’s son, a mother-in-law, and the officiating priests (ṛtvij).
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determines who is eligible for udaka-kriyā and distinguishes obligatory rites (for pitṛ-relations like maternal grandfather/teacher) from optional kāmya udaka for other social relations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Udaka-kriyā adhikāra: preta categories and kāmya-udaka recipients","lookup_keywords":["udaka-kriyā","kāmya-udaka","mātāmaha","ācārya","śrāddha-dāna"],"quick_summary":"Perform dāna and śrāddha and offer udaka for specified departed (e.g., maternal grandfather, teacher); optional desire-motivated udaka may be offered for friends and certain affinal/ritual relations."}
Concept: Ritual obligation is graded by relationship: nitya/naimittika for core elders/ācārya; kāmya for elective relations, integrating gratitude and social reciprocity into dharma.
Application: When planning śrāddha/udaka, prioritize obligatory recipients; perform kāmya-udaka only when intended and with proper sankalpa.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Funerary rites and udaka/tilodaka offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrāddha setting where the householder performs dāna and udaka offerings, with an implied list of recipients: maternal grandfather, teacher, and optional offerings for friends/affines and priests.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, interior courtyard with śrāddha setup: darbha grass, water pot, sesame bowl, priest seated; vignettes around showing figures symbolizing mātāmaha and ācārya; calm ritual atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold detailing on vessels and offering plates, central śrāddha scene with priest and patron, side panels depicting symbolic recipients (teacher with staff, elder grandfather), ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with labeled groups: ‘nitya udaka’ recipients (mātāmaha, ācārya) and ‘kāmya udaka’ recipients (friend, in-laws, ṛtvij), clear depiction of water pouring gesture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined indoor ritual scene with attendants, priest receiving dāna, water being poured into a small pit/onto darbha; marginal mini-portraits representing different recipient categories."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दानश्राद्धादिकर्म = दान + श्राद्ध + आदि + कर्म (समास); चेति = च + इति; प्रेतानाञ्चोदकक्रिया = प्रेतानाम् + च + उदकक्रिया; काम्योदकं = काम्य + उदकम्; सखिप्रेत... = सखि + प्रेत + स्वस्रीय + श्वश्रु + ऋत्विजाम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (Śrāddha-vidhi and udaka sections)
FAQs
It specifies eligibility and scope for udaka-kriyā (water libations) in śrāddha contexts—mandatory offerings for certain departed (e.g., maternal grandfather, teacher) and optional kāmya-udaka offerings for additional relations such as friends and connected persons.
By cataloging precise ritual categories (nitya/expected vs kāmya/optional) and listing recipients, it functions like a dharma-ritual manual embedded within the Purāṇa, illustrating its wide coverage beyond mythology into applied ritual law.
Performing śrāddha and udaka offerings is presented as a meritorious duty that supports the departed and purifies the performer; kāmya-udaka additionally channels intention-based religious merit toward specific relationships and desired outcomes.