Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 23
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
एवं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा वृद्धौ नान्दीमुखान् पितॄन् यजेत दधिकर्कन्धुमिश्रान् पिण्डान् यवैः क्रिया
evaṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā vṛddhau nāndīmukhān pitṝn yajeta dadhikarkandhumiśrān piṇḍān yavaiḥ kriyā
Thus, having performed the pradakṣiṇā, in the rite for elders one should worship the Nandīmukha Pitṛs, offering piṇḍa-balls mixed with curd and jujube (karkandhu); the ritual act is to be carried out with barley (yava).
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Specifies a śrāddha variant for elders (vृद्धौ): worship Nandīmukha Pitṛs and offer piṇḍas prepared with curd and jujube, with barley as the operative grain in the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nandīmukha-Pitṛ Śrāddha for elders: piṇḍa with dadhi and karkandhu; yava-based kriyā","lookup_keywords":["nandīmukha","pitṛ","piṇḍa","dadhi","karkandhu","yava"],"quick_summary":"For the elder-focused śrāddha, the Nandīmukha ancestors are honored with piṇḍa offerings mixed with curd and jujube, and barley is used as the principal grain for the ritual action."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Different classes of Pitṛ rites have distinct dravya (materials) and devatā-bheda (targeted ancestral category); correctness of offering substance is part of dharma.
Application: When performing śrāddha for elders, follow the specified dravya: prepare piṇḍas with the stated mix and use barley as directed, maintaining consistency and śraddhā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrāddha / Pitṛ-kriyā)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Preparation and offering of piṇḍa balls: barley base, mixed with curd and jujube; the performer offers them to Nandīmukha Pitṛs in an elder-focused rite, with darbha and vessels arranged.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual kitchen-to-altar scene: hands shaping piṇḍas from barley, adding curd and jujube, then offering on leaf/plate with darbha, stylized ancestral presence, rich ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, close-up of piṇḍa offerings on ornate tray with gold work, curd pot and jujube fruits depicted, performer in devotional posture, auspicious lamps and decorative arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of ingredients: yava grains, dadhi pot, karkandhu fruits, stepwise piṇḍa formation and offering, fine outlines and clear labeling aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed still-life of grains, curd vessel, and jujube, with a small altar scene of offering, delicate shading, patterned textiles, intimate domestic ritual atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ritual-instruction","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दधिकर्कन्धुमिश्रान् = दधि-कर्कन्धु-मिश्रान् (समास/समाहार); अन्यत्र विशेष-सन्धि नहीं.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Pitṛ-kalpa—types of śrāddha (nitya, naimittika, vṛddhi/vr̥ddhau, nandīmukha); Agni Purana: dravya-niyama lists for śrāddha offerings
FAQs
It prescribes a specific Śrāddha procedure: after pradakṣiṇa, worship the Nandīmukha Pitṛs in a vṛddha-context by offering piṇḍas mixed with curd and karkandhu, performing the act with barley (yava).
It records precise, practice-oriented domestic ritual details—ingredients, recipient class of ancestors (Nandīmukha), and sequence (pradakṣiṇa → offering)—showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into applied dharma and household rites.
Correctly honoring the Nandīmukha Pitṛs through prescribed offerings is presented as an auspicious ancestral rite that supports lineage welfare, purification, and the accrual of merit through proper Pitṛ-yajña.