Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 2
अध्याय ११७ — श्राद्धकल्पः
The Procedure for Śrāddha
काले वापरपक्षे च चतुर्थ्या ऊर्ध्वमेव व सम्याद्य च पदर्क्षे च पूर्वेद्युश् च निमन्त्रयेत्
kāle vāparapakṣe ca caturthyā ūrdhvameva va samyādya ca padarkṣe ca pūrvedyuś ca nimantrayet
Au moment opportun—soit durant la quinzaine claire, soit à partir du quatrième jour lunaire—après avoir dûment préparé le rite et les offrandes, et lorsque la demeure lunaire est favorable, on doit adresser les invitations la veille.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives electional timing for śrāddha—pakṣa, tithi threshold, and nakṣatra suitability—and prescribes prior-day invitations (nimantraṇa) to qualified recipients.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śrāddha-kāla: pakṣa–tithi–nakṣatra and pūrvedyuḥ nimantraṇa","lookup_keywords":["śrāddha kāla","apakṣa/śukla pakṣa","caturthī","nakṣatra","nimantraṇa pūrvedyuḥ"],"quick_summary":"Choose an appropriate lunar fortnight and begin from caturthī onward with a favorable nakṣatra; invite the brāhmaṇa participants the previous day after preparing the rite."}
Concept: Kāla-śuddhi (purity/fitness of time) and saṃskāra (proper preparation) are necessary conditions for ritual efficacy.
Application: Consult pañcāṅga for pakṣa–tithi–nakṣatra; schedule nimantraṇa one day earlier to avoid doṣa and ensure readiness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata & Nimantrana-kalpa)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual planner consults a pañcāṅga, marks caturthī onward and a favorable nakṣatra, and sends invitations the previous day after arranging śrāddha items.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: priestly figure with palm-leaf pañcāṅga, star symbols for nakṣatra, assistants arranging darbha and vessels; stylized calendar motifs, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: seated yajamāna holding invitation leaf, beside a decorated pañcāṅga board with tithi/nakṣatra icons; gold foil highlights on ritual vessels and borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional tableau—top band shows pañcāṅga with tithi and nakṣatra, lower band shows messenger delivering nimantraṇa; clean lines, readable objects.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed interior with scholar consulting almanac, attendants preparing offerings; a small inset of a messenger carrying a written invitation, fine textile and manuscript detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वेद्युश् च → पूर्वेद्युः + च; सम्याद्य is taken as a scribal/phonetic variant for सम्यज्य (सम्+यज्, क्त्वान्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 117 (subsequent verses on pātra selection, doṣa avoidance, seating and orientation)
FAQs
It teaches nimantraṇa-vidhi: select an appropriate lunar timing (pakṣa, tithi from caturthī onward, and a favourable nakṣatra), complete preparations, and invite participants a day in advance.
It shows the Purāṇa functioning as a practical manual—combining ritual procedure with calendrical/Jyotiṣa parameters (tithi–nakṣatra selection) for correct performance.
Proper timing and prior invitation are treated as parts of ritual correctness (vidhi), believed to remove obstacles, ensure purity of the rite, and secure the intended religious merit (puṇya).