Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
रूप्यकुम्भेन याम्ये च क्षीरपूर्णेन क्षत्रियः दध्ना च ताम्रकुम्भेन वैश्यः पश्चिमगेन च
rūpyakumbhena yāmye ca kṣīrapūrṇena kṣatriyaḥ dadhnā ca tāmrakumbhena vaiśyaḥ paścimagena ca
दक्षिण दिशा में क्षत्रिय को दूध से भरे रजत-कलश द्वारा (विधि) करनी चाहिए। तथा पश्चिम दिशा में वैश्य को दही से भरे ताम्र-कलश द्वारा (विधि) करनी चाहिए।
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Directional and varṇa-linked donation/rite protocol: specifying vessel metal and contents (silver+milk for Kṣatriya in south; copper+curd for Vaiśya in west) for auspicious gifting during consecration-related ceremonies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dāna-vidhi: varṇa–dik–dravya–kumbha-niyama","lookup_keywords":["dāna-vidhi","dik (yāmya/paścima)","rūpya-kumbha","tāmra-kumbha","kṣīra/dadhi"],"quick_summary":"Ritual gifting is standardized by direction, donor class, vessel metal, and offering substance—milk in a silver pot to the south for a Kṣatriya; curd in a copper pot to the west for a Vaiśya."}
Concept: Dāna is not merely generosity but a regulated sacramental act aligned with direction, substance, and social duty.
Application: When performing prescribed dāna in consecration contexts, match donor role with correct direction and vessel: silver+milk (south) for Kṣatriya; copper+curd (west) for Vaiśya.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Charity and ritual gifting; auspicious directions and donor-classes)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two donors in a ritual setting: a Kṣatriya offers a silver pot filled with milk facing south; a Vaiśya offers a copper pot filled with curd facing west; priests indicate directions with markers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel composition with directional markers (south/west), Kṣatriya holding silver kumbha of milk, Vaiśya holding copper kumbha of curd, priest guiding, stylized compass-like mandala on floor","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted silver and copper pots, donors in traditional attire, directional deities subtly suggested, ornate borders, rich colors emphasizing auspiciousness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: labeled directions (yāmya/paścima), labeled vessels (rūpya/tāmra), contents (kṣīra/dadhi), neat ritual space with minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual donation scene, realistic metal sheen on pots, attendants and priest, architectural setting with directional banners, fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rūpyakumbhena → rūpya-kumbhena; kṣīrapūrṇena → kṣīra-pūrṇena; tāmrakumbhena → tāmra-kumbhena; paścimagena → paścima-gena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 218 (dāna-vidhi within abhiṣeka complex)
FAQs
It specifies direction-based dāna procedure: a Kṣatriya donates/ritually offers milk in a silver vessel facing/placed to the south, while a Vaiśya uses curd in a copper vessel associated with the west.
It preserves applied dharma-ritual minutiae—mapping social roles (varṇa), materials (silver/copper), substances (milk/curd), and spatial ritual logic (cardinal directions)—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage beyond mythology.
Such prescribed dāna, performed with correct substance, vessel, and direction, is treated as a purifier and merit-generator (puṇya), aligning the donor’s duty with cosmic order (dharma) through disciplined ritual conduct.