Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 53
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
तदभावे यवतिला गृहोपकरणं तथा स्थालीदर्वीपिधानादि देवादिभ्यो ऽंशुकद्वयं
tadabhāve yavatilā gṛhopakaraṇaṃ tathā sthālīdarvīpidhānādi devādibhyo 'ṃśukadvayaṃ
Si ces dons prescrits font défaut, qu’on offre alors de l’orge et du sésame; ainsi que des ustensiles domestiques—tels qu’un pot (sthālī), une louche (darvī), un couvercle et autres. Et aux divinités et autres destinataires, qu’on présente une paire d’étoffes.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as is standard for Agni Purāṇa’s instructional chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Guidance for substitute dāna items when ideal gifts are unavailable, ensuring charity remains feasible and dharma is not obstructed by scarcity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dāna-pratinidhi: Yava-tila, Gṛhopakaraṇa, and Vastra-dvaya","lookup_keywords":["dāna","yava","tila","gṛhopakaraṇa","vastra-dvaya"],"quick_summary":"When prescribed gifts cannot be arranged, offer accessible substitutes—barley/sesame, household utensils, and a pair of cloths—so the act of giving continues."}
Concept: Dāna is intention-led; pratinidhi (substitution) preserves dharma when ideal resources are lacking.
Application: Give within means without abandoning the vow—choose useful items (food grains, utensils, cloth) that genuinely help recipients.
Khanda Section: Dāna-dharma (Charity and ritual gifting guidelines)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A donor offering barley and sesame in small sacks, along with household utensils (pot, ladle, lid) and a folded pair of cloths to a recipient near a shrine.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, village shrine setting, donor presenting yava-tila and utensils, folded cloth pair, dignified recipients, warm earthy palette, emphasis on dharma","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on vessels and textiles, donor in traditional attire offering pot and cloth pair before a deity image, devotional charity scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of items for dāna: barley, sesame, cooking pot, ladle, lid, two cloths, arranged like an instructional plate with gentle narrative of giving","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet humane charity scene, detailed textiles for vastra-dvaya, utensils rendered with metallic sheen, architectural niche with deity lamp"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गृहोपकरणं → गृह + उपकरणम्; देवादिभ्यो ऽंशुकद्वयं → देवादिभ्यः + अंशुकद्वयम् (विसर्ग + अ → ऽ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (dāna-dharma portion adjoining pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It teaches dāna-vidhi through practical substitutions: when ideal offerings are unavailable, one may donate staple grains (barley, sesame), useful household utensils (pot, ladle, lid), and a pair of cloths to proper recipients, including deities in ritual context.
It exemplifies the text’s applied dharma: it doesn’t only state ideals, but also gives workable alternatives and concrete item-lists for real-world ritual economy—linking ethics, household life, and temple/ritual procedure.
By permitting substitutes, the verse emphasizes intention and continuity of dharma: giving sustenance items and necessities sustains ritual order and social welfare, generating puṇya (merit) even when one lacks the primary prescribed gifts.