Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 19
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
दातारो नो ऽभिवर्धन्तां वेदाः सन्ततिरेव च श्रद्धा च नो माव्यगमद्बहुदेयं च नो स्त्विति
dātāro no 'bhivardhantāṃ vedāḥ santatireva ca śraddhā ca no māvyagamadbahudeyaṃ ca no stviti
Que aumenten nuestros benefactores; que prosperen también los Vedas (el saber sagrado) y nuestra descendencia. Que la fe no se aparte jamás de nosotros, y que siempre tengamos mucho para dar—así debe orarse.
Lord Agni (narrating the dharma teaching to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dana-dharma","practical_application":"Use as a closing/ancillary prayer (āśīrvāda) to cultivate generosity, sustain śraddhā, and frame charity as a continuing household discipline.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Dāna-āśīrvāda (Prayer for benefactors, Veda, progeny, faith, and abundance to give)","lookup_keywords":["dāna","āśīrvāda","śraddhā","bahudeya","santati"],"quick_summary":"A benedictory prayer aligning charity with four supports of dharma—supporters (dātāraḥ), sacred learning (veda), lineage (santati), and faith (śraddhā)—and asking for ongoing capacity to give."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (soft repetition) / Āśīḥ (benedictive mode)
Concept: Dāna is sustained by śraddhā and supported by learning and lineage; prosperity is meaningful when it increases giving (bahu-deya).
Application: Adopt a household vow of regular giving; treat wealth as a trust for dharmic distribution and education-support.
Khanda Section: Dana-dharma (Charity & Benedictions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: hita
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder-priest recites a benediction after charity, with donors and recipients present; Vedic manuscripts, a family, and vessels of gifts symbolize learning, progeny, faith, and abundance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a gṛhastha in white dhoti with sacred thread chanting an āśīrvāda, palm-leaf manuscripts and offering vessels, serene faces, flat decorative background, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated gṛhastha donor offering gifts to a brāhmaṇa, gold-leaf halos and ornate arch, symbolic Veda manuscripts and grain pots, rich reds and greens, devotional yet domestic setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional tableau of dāna: donor, recipient, labeled objects (veda-pustaka, anna-pātra), calm composition, muted pastels with delicate detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet pious charity scene in a veranda, detailed textiles and vessels, a scribe holding manuscripts, family members behind, subtle expressions, precise architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"benedictive","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नो ऽभिवर्धन्ताम् = नः + अभिवर्धन्ताम्; सन्ततिरेव = सन्ततिः + एव; माव्यगमत् = मा + व्यगमत्; बहुदेयं = बहु + देयम्; स्त्विति = अस्तु + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dana-dharma sections (gifts, merits, and benedictions); Agni Purana: Śrāddha/Pitṛ-kriyā procedural chapters (for closing prayers)
FAQs
It gives a compact āśīrvāda (benedictory prayer) aligned with dāna-dharma: pray for the increase of donors, continuity of Vedic learning, steadfast śraddhā, and the capacity to give abundantly.
Alongside diverse subjects, the Agni Purana also systematizes social-religious practice; this verse encapsulates the ethical-economy of dāna—supporting Vedic study, family continuity, and communal prosperity through sustained giving.
It frames charity as a self-reinforcing source of punya: faith is preserved, worthy givers multiply, and one gains the karmic capacity (resources and disposition) to continue giving.