Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
पितृभ्यः स्थानमसीति न्युब्जं पात्रं करोत्यधः अग्नौ करिष्य आदाय पृच्छत्यन्नं घृतप्लुतं
pitṛbhyaḥ sthānamasīti nyubjaṃ pātraṃ karotyadhaḥ agnau kariṣya ādāya pṛcchatyannaṃ ghṛtaplutaṃ
Saying, “You are the seat for the Fathers (pitṛs),” he places the vessel upside down upon the ground. Then, intending to offer into the fire, he takes up and presents the food—moistened with ghee—ritually asking for permission/acceptance.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Śrāddha/pitṛ-tarpaṇa setup: establishing the pitṛ-seat (āsana) with an inverted vessel, then preparing ghee-moistened anna for agni-offering after ritual assent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pitṛ-āsana-sthāpana and anna-ghṛta-nivedana before homa","lookup_keywords":["pitṛbhyaḥ sthānam asi","nyubja pātra","śrāddha vidhi","ghṛtapluta anna","anujñā (permission)"],"quick_summary":"Create the ritual seat for the Fathers by placing the vessel inverted, then present ghee-moistened food for offering, seeking formal acceptance before proceeding."}
Concept: Pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors) is discharged through orderly, consent-based ritual action (anujñā) and purity of offering.
Application: Perform śrāddha with procedural correctness—seat, assent, and properly prepared anna—so the rite is considered valid (yathāvidhi).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa / Śrāddha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder in a clean ritual space places a vessel upside-down as the pitṛ-seat, then lifts a leaf/plate of rice mixed with ghee toward the sacred fire, pausing in a gesture of asking permission.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, sacred domestic śrāddha scene: yajamāna in white dhoti, inverted vessel on ground marked as pitṛ-āsana, small agni-kunda with flames, offering of ghṛta-smeared anna held respectfully, minimal background, traditional ornamented borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents: central agni with stylized flames, yajamāna presenting ghṛtapluta anna, inverted pātra as pitṛ-āsana in foreground, rich textiles, halo-like emphasis on ritual fire, embossed gold detailing on vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework instructional composition: step-by-step feel—(1) inverted vessel labeled pitṛ-āsana, (2) ghee-mixed rice, (3) gesture of anujñā toward agni; soft colors, clear objects, calm faces.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate indoor courtyard, detailed utensils and textiles, small fire altar, yajamāna holding ghee-moistened food, attendant observing, inverted vessel placed carefully; delicate architectural framing and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थानम्+असि+इति → स्थानमसीति; करोति+अधः → करोत्यधः; पृच्छति+अन्नम् → पृच्छत्यन्नम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163.10 (homa after anujñā); Agni Purana 163.11 (pātra-abhimantraṇa); Agni Purana 163.12 (anna-saṃskāra mantras)
FAQs
It teaches a specific Śrāddha/Pitṛ-kriyā step: consecrating an offering vessel as the ‘seat’ of the pitṛs, placing it inverted on the ground, and then offering ghee-moistened food into Agni with a formal ritual request for acceptance.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves operational ritual protocol—mantra-cues, object placement, and offering method—showing its practical coverage of domestic rites (śrāddha, homa) alongside many other sciences and disciplines.
Correctly performing pitṛ-offerings with Agni as the carrier is held to nourish and honor ancestors, support lineage continuity, and generate purifying merit (puṇya) by fulfilling pitṛ-ṛṇa (the ancestral obligation).