Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 11
Explanation of the Final Dissolution (Ātyantika Laya) and the Arising of Hiraṇyagarbha — Subtle Body, Post-Death Transit, Rebirth, and Embodied Constituents
वसेत् क्षुधा तृषा युक्त आमश्राद्धान्नभुङ्नरः आतिवाहिकेदेहात्तु प्रेतपिण्डैर् विना नरः
vaset kṣudhā tṛṣā yukta āmaśrāddhānnabhuṅnaraḥ ātivāhikedehāttu pretapiṇḍair vinā naraḥ
A man remains afflicted with hunger and thirst, subsisting on the undigested (raw) food of the śrāddha. And in his ātivāhika (transitional) body, a person cannot be sustained without the piṇḍas offered to the preta (preta-piṇḍa).
Lord Agni (in dialogue to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Motivates regular śrāddha/piṇḍa offerings by describing the departed’s hunger-thirst and dependence on preta-piṇḍas in the ātivāhika state.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hunger-thirst of the ātivāhika being and necessity of preta-piṇḍas","lookup_keywords":["kṣudhā-tṛṣā","ātivāhika-deha","preta-piṇḍa","śrāddha food","sustenance"],"quick_summary":"The departed in the transitional body is afflicted by hunger and thirst and cannot be sustained without the piṇḍa offerings; śrāddha provisions are portrayed as essential nourishment."}
Concept: Pitṛ-kriyā is not symbolic only; it is framed as direct aid to the departed’s experiential condition in the intermediate state.
Application: Do not neglect piṇḍa offerings and scheduled śrāddhas; ensure proper performance and continuity until prescribed transitions are completed.
Khanda Section: Preta-Karma and Śrāddha-Vidhi (Funerary Rites / Ancestor Offerings)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gaunt, translucent ātivāhika figure with parched lips and longing gaze reaches toward piṇḍas offered at a śrāddha altar; the offering’s essence flows to sustain him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, emotive depiction of hungry-thirsty subtle being, stylized flames and lamps, piṇḍas on banana leaf, compassionate householders, bold outlines and earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented śrāddha setup with gold accents, luminous stream from piṇḍas to subtle figure, devotional framing, ornate arch border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene showing cause-effect: without piṇḍa the being weak; with piṇḍa the being steadied; fine linework, soft palette, explanatory cartouches","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtyard ritual, detailed vessels and textiles, translucent figure rendered delicately, emphasis on facial expression of thirst, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yukta āmaśrāddhānnabhuṅnaraḥ normalized as yuktaḥ āma-śrāddha-anna-bhuk naraḥ; ātivāhikedehāttu → ātivāhika-dehāt tu; pretapiṇḍair → preta-piṇḍaiḥ (visarga/sandhi variant before v); vinā naraḥ separated.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: sections describing preta’s dependence on offerings and timing of śrāddha
FAQs
It teaches the preta-śrāddha principle that the departed, in the ātivāhika (transitional subtle) body, is sustained through preta-piṇḍa offerings; without piṇḍas the being experiences hunger and thirst.
Beyond theology, it records a practical ritual-technology of funerary rites—linking metaphysical anatomy (ātivāhika-deha) with concrete procedures (piṇḍa and śrāddha food)—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of dharma, ritual, and post-death anthropology.
It frames piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha as a duty that relieves the preta’s suffering and supports its onward journey; neglect results in continued distress (hunger and thirst) in the post-death transitional state.