Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 54
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
दानश्राद्धादिकर्म चेति झ एवं मातामहाचार्यप्रेतानाञ्चोदकक्रिया काम्योदकं सखिप्रेतस्वस्रीयश्वश्रुरर्त्विजां
dānaśrāddhādikarma ceti jha evaṃ mātāmahācāryapretānāñcodakakriyā kāmyodakaṃ sakhipretasvasrīyaśvaśrurartvijāṃ
Ainsi, il convient d’accomplir des actes tels que la charité (dāna) et le śrāddha, et autres. De cette manière, le rite d’offrande d’eau (udaka-kriyā) doit être accompli pour les défunts, tels que le grand-père maternel et le maître (ācārya). De même, une offrande d’eau accomplie par désir (kāmya-udaka) peut être faite pour d’autres liens, tels qu’un ami, un défunt lié par l’amitié, le fils de la sœur, la belle-mère, et les prêtres officiants (ṛtvij).
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determines who is eligible for udaka-kriyā and distinguishes obligatory rites (for pitṛ-relations like maternal grandfather/teacher) from optional kāmya udaka for other social relations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Udaka-kriyā adhikāra: preta categories and kāmya-udaka recipients","lookup_keywords":["udaka-kriyā","kāmya-udaka","mātāmaha","ācārya","śrāddha-dāna"],"quick_summary":"Perform dāna and śrāddha and offer udaka for specified departed (e.g., maternal grandfather, teacher); optional desire-motivated udaka may be offered for friends and certain affinal/ritual relations."}
Concept: Ritual obligation is graded by relationship: nitya/naimittika for core elders/ācārya; kāmya for elective relations, integrating gratitude and social reciprocity into dharma.
Application: When planning śrāddha/udaka, prioritize obligatory recipients; perform kāmya-udaka only when intended and with proper sankalpa.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Funerary rites and udaka/tilodaka offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrāddha setting where the householder performs dāna and udaka offerings, with an implied list of recipients: maternal grandfather, teacher, and optional offerings for friends/affines and priests.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, interior courtyard with śrāddha setup: darbha grass, water pot, sesame bowl, priest seated; vignettes around showing figures symbolizing mātāmaha and ācārya; calm ritual atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold detailing on vessels and offering plates, central śrāddha scene with priest and patron, side panels depicting symbolic recipients (teacher with staff, elder grandfather), ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with labeled groups: ‘nitya udaka’ recipients (mātāmaha, ācārya) and ‘kāmya udaka’ recipients (friend, in-laws, ṛtvij), clear depiction of water pouring gesture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined indoor ritual scene with attendants, priest receiving dāna, water being poured into a small pit/onto darbha; marginal mini-portraits representing different recipient categories."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दानश्राद्धादिकर्म = दान + श्राद्ध + आदि + कर्म (समास); चेति = च + इति; प्रेतानाञ्चोदकक्रिया = प्रेतानाम् + च + उदकक्रिया; काम्योदकं = काम्य + उदकम्; सखिप्रेत... = सखि + प्रेत + स्वस्रीय + श्वश्रु + ऋत्विजाम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (Śrāddha-vidhi and udaka sections)
FAQs
It specifies eligibility and scope for udaka-kriyā (water libations) in śrāddha contexts—mandatory offerings for certain departed (e.g., maternal grandfather, teacher) and optional kāmya-udaka offerings for additional relations such as friends and connected persons.
By cataloging precise ritual categories (nitya/expected vs kāmya/optional) and listing recipients, it functions like a dharma-ritual manual embedded within the Purāṇa, illustrating its wide coverage beyond mythology into applied ritual law.
Performing śrāddha and udaka offerings is presented as a meritorious duty that supports the departed and purifies the performer; kāmya-udaka additionally channels intention-based religious merit toward specific relationships and desired outcomes.