Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 49
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
वृद्धप्रपितामहेभ्यो मातृभ्यश् च स्वधा तथा हां मातामहेभ्यः स्वधा हां प्रमातामहेभ्यश् च
vṛddhaprapitāmahebhyo mātṛbhyaś ca svadhā tathā hāṃ mātāmahebhyaḥ svadhā hāṃ pramātāmahebhyaś ca
«Aux prapitāmaha âgés (vṛddha) et aux mères — svadhā ; de même, hāṃ. Aux grands‑pères maternels (mātāmaha) — svadhā, hāṃ ; et aussi aux arrière‑grands‑pères maternels (promātāmaha).»
Lord Agni (teaching the śrāddha/tarpaṇa procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Extend svadhā offerings beyond paternal line to include mothers and maternal ancestors (mātāmaha, pramātāmaha), using the svadhā + hāṃ formula for specified recipients.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Svadhā Offerings to Mothers and Maternal Ancestors (Mātāmaha Line)","lookup_keywords":["mātṛ","mātāmaha","pramātāmaha","svadhā","hāṃ"],"quick_summary":"The verse provides a recipient list for maternal lineage offerings, pairing svadhā with the hāṃ element, ensuring both paternal and maternal ancestral debts are ritually addressed."}
Concept: Completeness of pitṛ-yajña includes maternal ancestry; dharma is fulfilled by honoring both lineages with correct mantra markers.
Application: During tarpaṇa, explicitly name maternal ancestors and mothers; use the prescribed svadhā/hāṃ pattern to maintain prayoga integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrāddha–Pitṛ-tarpaṇa Mantras)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist offers water/oblations while maternal figures (mothers) and maternal grandfathers appear in a respectful ancestral assembly; mantra syllables ‘svadhā’ and ‘hāṃ’ are visually indicated as offering labels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, maternal ancestor group seated on lotus/grass mats, gentle feminine presence for mātṛs, ritualist below with offering vessel, stylized script ‘svadhā’ and ‘hāṃ’ in decorative bands, earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed maternal ancestor portraits with halos, central mother figure honored, maternal grandfather line to the side, ornate vessels and lamps, svadhā/hāṃ inscriptions, rich jewel palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear labeled family-tree panel: mātṛ, mātāmaha, pramātāmaha; ritualist demonstrating offering gesture; minimal background for instructional readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined indoor śrāddha scene with women’s lineage represented in cloud medallions, delicate calligraphy ‘svadhā’ ‘hāṃ’, floral borders, subdued dignified colors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ritual-instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मातृभ्यश् च = मातृभ्यः + च; प्रमातामहेभ्यश् च = प्रमातामहेभ्यः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (maternal and paternal recipient expansions)
FAQs
It supplies specific tarpaṇa/śrāddha address-formulas (mantra wording) for offering water/oblations to paternal elder forefathers and to maternal-line ancestors, using the ritual call “svadhā” and the accompanying exclamation “hāṃ.”
By preserving precise liturgical phrasing for ancestor-rites (a practical ritual manual component), the Agni Purana functions not only as narrative Purāṇa but also as a compendium of applied dharma—detailing who is invoked and how, across paternal and maternal lineages.
Correctly directing offerings to the appropriate ancestor groups is held to satisfy the Pitṛs, supporting familial well-being and continuity, and generating merit (puṇya) through proper performance of Pitṛ-yajña/śrāddha.