Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 37
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
स्वर्गं ह्य् अपत्यमोजश् च शौर्यं क्षेत्रं बलं तथा पुत्रश्रैष्ठ्यं ससौभाग्यमपत्यं मुख्यतां सुतान्
svargaṃ hy apatyamojaś ca śauryaṃ kṣetraṃ balaṃ tathā putraśraiṣṭhyaṃ sasaubhāgyamapatyaṃ mukhyatāṃ sutān
સંતાન જ સ્વર્ગનું કારણ છે; એ જ ઓજ, શૌર્ય, વંશપરંપરાનું ક્ષેત્ર અને બળ પણ છે. પુત્રોની શ્રેષ્ઠતા અને સૌભાગ્યসহ—સંતાનને મુખ્ય સંપત્તિ કહેવાય છે, એટલે પુત્રો પરમ ધન છે।
Lord Agni (narrating in the Agni Purana’s standard discourse framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Gṛhastha and rājadharma framing of progeny: articulating why putra/aptya is valued—lineage continuity, strength, social stability, and auspicious fortune—guiding household priorities and rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Apatya-māhātmya (progeny as heaven, vigor, valor, and lineage-field)","lookup_keywords":["apatya","putra-shreshtha","grihastha-dharma","ksetra","saubhagya"],"quick_summary":"Progeny is praised as the foremost ‘wealth’: it is linked to svarga, vitality, valor, and the continuity-field of lineage, bringing strength and auspicious fortune through excellent sons."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Gṛhastha-dharma values apatyam as a dharmic instrument: sustaining pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors), social order, and personal flourishing.
Application: Prioritize saṃskāras, education, and ethical formation of children; treat progeny not merely as possession but as responsibility that supports dharma and family continuity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Grihastha-dharma (Putra, Apatya, and household prosperity themes)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household scene showing parents with children; symbolic ‘field’ imagery (kṣetra) blending with a family tree; sons depicted as bearers of strength and fortune; subtle svarga motif above.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: serene family tableau with stylized family tree and a golden svarga band above, calm faces, flat iconic forms, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: auspicious family portrait with ornate jewelry and gold-leaf accents, children as central ‘wealth’, lotus motifs for saubhāgya, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic allegory—family with a labeled ‘kṣetra’ (field) motif and lineage tree, fine linework, soft colors, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate domestic courtyard with parents and sons, detailed textiles, a symbolic garden/field suggesting kṣetra, refined naturalism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ह्य् → हि (यण्-सन्धिः); अपत्यमोजश् → अपत्यम् + ओजः; ससौभाग्यमपत्यं → स-सौभाग्यम् + अपत्यम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana gṛhastha-dharma and putra-saṃskāra discussions elsewhere; adjacent 163 verses on śrāddha/dāna supporting lineage
FAQs
It conveys dharma-vidya for household life: progeny (especially sons, in this context) is treated as a primary support of merit (svarga), social strength, and continuity of the family line.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies social-ethical values of grihastha life—here summarizing why progeny is prized for merit, prosperity, and lineage stability.
It frames offspring as a karmic support for dharmic continuity and merit, implying that sustaining lineage and righteous household life is connected with heavenly reward and worldly well-being.