Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 49
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
प्रतिदानं तदा तस्य गृहीतस्यानुमोदनं द्रव्यदानमपूर्वं च स्वयङ्ग्राहप्रवर्तनं
pratidānaṃ tadā tasya gṛhītasyānumodanaṃ dravyadānamapūrvaṃ ca svayaṅgrāhapravartanaṃ
Then one should: (i) make a return-gift to that person, (ii) express approval and glad assent for what has been accepted, (iii) give material wealth not given before, and (iv) encourage voluntary acceptance—receiving without coercion or solicitation.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ritual-social protocol of giving and receiving: reciprocate appropriately, express gratitude/approval, vary gifts, and ensure acceptance is voluntary to preserve dignity and merit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dāna-Śiṣṭācāra: Return-gift, Anumodana, Novel Gift, Voluntary Acceptance","lookup_keywords":["pratidāna","anumodana","dāna-vidhi","apūrva-dravya","svayaṃ-grāha"],"quick_summary":"After accepting or receiving, one should reciprocate, voice approval/gratitude, offer fresh (not repetitive) material gifts, and encourage unforced acceptance. This maintains social harmony and the purity of dāna."}
Concept: Giving and receiving are reciprocal ethical acts; gratitude (anumodana) and non-coercion protect the dharmic quality of exchange.
Application: In patronage or charity networks, always acknowledge receipt, reciprocate when fitting, avoid pressuring recipients, and diversify aid according to need.
Khanda Section: Dāna-Dharma (Charity, gifts, and ritual propriety)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal exchange: a recipient accepts a gift, offers a return-gift, speaks words of approval, and both parties show that acceptance is voluntary and dignified.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: two figures exchanging garlands and gift bundles, one raising hand in blessing/approval (anumodana), attendants with trays, symmetrical composition, rich reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ceremonial gift exchange with gold-leaf trays, return-gift presented with folded hands, ornate pillars, emphasis on auspiciousness and propriety.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: step-by-step instructional panel—(1) acceptance, (2) pratidāna, (3) anumodana, (4) apūrva-dravya—clean lines, labeled cartouches.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined gift exchange in a garden pavilion, delicate gestures indicating consent, detailed textiles and objects (purse, cloth, vessel), calligraphic border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bihag","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गृहीतस्यानुमोदनं = गृहीतस्य + अनुमोदनम्; द्रव्यदानमपूर्वं = द्रव्य-दानम् + अपूर्वम्; स्वयङ्ग्राहप्रवर्तनं = स्वयम् + ग्राह-प्रवर्तनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 240 (dāna conduct and merit)
FAQs
It teaches dāna-vidhi etiquette: reciprocating with a return-gift, formally acknowledging acceptance, giving fresh (non-repeated) material gifts, and ensuring acceptance happens voluntarily—maintaining ritual purity and social propriety in charity.
Beyond theology, it codifies practical dharma: transactional ethics of giving/receiving, gratitude, and non-coercion—showing the text’s wide scope into social norms and religious law-like guidance.
Charity yields higher merit when done with proper conduct—gratitude, non-repetition, and non-coercion reduce ego and impurity, making the act a cleaner instrument of puṇya (karmic merit).