Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
जप्त्वा यथासुखं वाच्यं भुञ्जीरंस्ते ऽपि वाग्यताः अन्नमिष्टं हविष्यञ्च दद्याज्जप्त्वा पवित्रकं
japtvā yathāsukhaṃ vācyaṃ bhuñjīraṃste 'pi vāgyatāḥ annamiṣṭaṃ haviṣyañca dadyājjaptvā pavitrakaṃ
Having completed the japa, one may speak as is comfortable; they too may partake of food while maintaining restraint of speech. Having again performed japa, one should give the desired food and the oblation-worthy offering (havis), along with the pavitraka, the sanctifying ring/grass.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual conduct after japa: controlled speech (vāg-yama), permitted conversation as needed, mindful eating, then renewed japa and distribution of desired food/havis along with pavitraka (purifying ring/kuśa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-uttara ācāra: vāg-yama, bhojana, and dāna with pavitraka","lookup_keywords":["japa","vāgyata","havis","pavitraka","śrāddha conduct"],"quick_summary":"Maintain disciplined speech and conduct around the rite: after japa, eat with restraint, repeat japa, and then give offerings/food together with the purifying pavitraka."}
Concept: Ācāra (conduct)—especially vāg-yama and repeated mantra—guards the sanctity of both offering and consumption; purity is maintained through pavitraka.
Application: During śrāddha/pujā meals, minimize idle talk, keep attention steady, and conclude with mantra and purified distribution.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Japa, Homa, and ritual conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Participants sit to eat quietly after japa; the officiant holds a pavitraka (kuśa ring/grass) and later distributes havis/food with renewed mantra recitation, maintaining a composed demeanor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: seated diners with restrained expressions, minimal speech, yajamāna with kuśa pavitraka on finger, small agni nearby, rhythmic mantra bands in the border, earthy palette and stylized gestures of silence.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central figure with pavitraka highlighted in gold, offering bowls and havis, participants seated respectfully, ornate gold detailing on vessels and borders, emphasis on purity and order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene showing ‘japa → quiet eating → japa → dāna’, with pavitraka clearly drawn on the hand; clean composition, fine lines, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined dining-and-ritual closure scene, subtle gestures indicating silence, pavitraka ring visible, attendants with bowls of havis, delicate textiles and architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुञ्जीरन्+ते → भुञ्जीरंस्ते; ते+अपि → तेऽपि; हविष्यम्+च → हविष्यञ्च; दद्यात्+जप्त्वा → दद्याज्जप्त्वा
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163.12 (mantra sanctification); Agni Purana 163.10 (post-homa distribution)
FAQs
It prescribes post-japa conduct: controlled speech while eating, and the rule that food (anna) and oblation-material (havis) should be given/assigned only after performing japa again, together with a pavitraka used to sanctify the act.
It records precise procedural details of worship—linking mantra-recitation, dietary discipline, and ritual gifting/offerings—showing the text’s practical coverage of liturgy and household-sacrificial protocol alongside its many other disciplines.
By pairing japa with restraint of speech and properly sanctified giving (anna/havis with pavitraka), the act becomes ritually pure and merit-bearing (puṇya), minimizing impurity from casual speech and ensuring offerings are made in a consecrated state.