Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 7
अध्याय ११७ — श्राद्धकल्पः
The Procedure for Śrāddha
सर्वांश् च पङ्क्तिमूर्धन्यान् पृच्छेत् प्रश्ने तथासने दर्भानास्तीर्य द्विगुणान् पित्रे देवादिकञ्चरेत्
sarvāṃś ca paṅktimūrdhanyān pṛcchet praśne tathāsane darbhānāstīrya dviguṇān pitre devādikañcaret
Il doit interroger tous les principaux de la rangée du repas au sujet des questions prescrites et du placement ; après avoir étendu l’herbe darbha en double mesure pour les Pitṛ, il doit accomplir le rite en commençant par les Deva.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Operational steps in śrāddha: confirm seating and formal questions with the leading diners, lay doubled darbha for Pitṛs, then proceed with offerings beginning from Devas as per sequence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śrāddha: Pāṅkti-prashna, āsana-nirṇaya, and darbha-vistara (double) for Pitṛs","lookup_keywords":["pāṅkti-mūrdhanya","prashna","āsana","darbha","deva-ādi"],"quick_summary":"Verify the row’s leading participants and seating protocol, spread darbha in double measure for Pitṛs, and execute the rite in the prescribed order starting with Devas."}
Concept: Dharma is upheld through correct saṃskāra-procedure—right persons, right seating, right sequence, right sanctifying materials (darbha).
Application: Before offerings, confirm protocol with senior participants; prepare darbha properly; follow the deva-to-pitṛ sequence to avoid procedural fault (doṣa).
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and ancestral rite procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrāddha dining row with senior brāhmaṇas; the host respectfully asks formal questions, then spreads doubled darbha mats before proceeding to deva offerings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: long dining row, host bending slightly in inquiry, doubled darbha laid in neat bundles, ritual vessels and ladles, calm sacred ambiance with stylized foliage borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: symmetrical composition of seated brāhmaṇas, host placing darbha with gold-accented vessels, ornate frame, emphasis on sanctity and order","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional depiction—close-up of doubled darbha placement, host’s questioning gesture toward pāṅkti-mūrdhanyas, labeled sequence implied by arrangement of vessels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed courtyard feast-row, host consulting the elders, servants laying darbha mats, fine textile patterns and realistic utensils"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sarvāṃś ca = sarvān ca; darbhānāstīrya = darbhān āstīrya; devādikañcaret = deva-ādikam caret.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 117 (darbha, āvāhana, viśvedevas, pitṛ-tarpaṇa sequence)
FAQs
It gives procedural Śrāddha-vidhi: verify the leading invitees in the paṅkti (eligibility/arrangements), prepare darbha bedding in a doubled manner for Pitṛ-offerings, and follow the correct sequence beginning with deva-kārya.
Alongside theology and myths, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma-śāstra style instructions—minute ritual logistics (paṅkti order, āsana rules, darbha preparation, deva–pitṛ sequencing)—showing it functions as a handbook of applied religious law.
Correct order and purity in Śrāddha are held to ensure the offering reaches Devas and Pitṛs without ritual fault (doṣa), supporting ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-tṛpti) and accruing merit (puṇya) for the performer.