Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 27
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
प्रेतपात्रं च पात्रेषु तथैव विनियोजयेत् पृथक् पृथक् प्रकर्तव्यं कर्मैतत् कर्मपात्रके
pretapātraṃ ca pātreṣu tathaiva viniyojayet pṛthak pṛthak prakartavyaṃ karmaitat karmapātrake
Demikian pula, bejana untuk preta (preta-pātra) hendaknya ditempatkan di antara bejana-bejana ritual. Dalam himpunan bejana ritual ini, tata cara tersebut harus dilakukan secara terpisah untuk masing-masing bejana.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Separate allocation of a dedicated vessel for preta offerings within the ritual vessel-set, preventing mixing of recipients and maintaining procedural purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Preta-pātra allocation within Karma-pātraka","lookup_keywords":["preta-pātra","pātra-viniyoga","karma-pātraka","śrāddha vessels","separate handling"],"quick_summary":"Keep a distinct vessel for the preta and place it among the ritual vessels with clear separation; perform each vessel-related act separately to avoid cross-allocation."}
Concept: Adhikāra-bheda (distinct entitlement/recipient) requires dravya-bheda (distinct material allocation).
Application: Use clearly marked vessels; do not reuse or interchange vessels between preta and pitṛ offerings within the same sitting.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Antyeṣṭi & Pitṛ-kriyā / Funeral and ancestral rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A set of ritual vessels laid out on a mat; one vessel is marked and set aside as the preta-pātra while the officiant gestures to keep actions separate for each vessel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down clarity of vessel arrangement, one distinct preta vessel highlighted by color band, priest indicating separation, subdued sacred interior","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gleaming vessels with gold work, one vessel slightly apart labeled as preta-pātra, ornate but orderly composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: vessels drawn with labels, arrows showing ‘separate performance’ for each, clean lines and muted colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed metalwork vessels on carpet, officiant and assistant carefully segregating one cup/bowl, emphasis on meticulous handling"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्मैतत् → कर्म एतत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (pātra and piṇḍa handling rules in śrāddha-vidhi)
FAQs
It teaches the procedural rule of viniyoga (correct allocation) of the preta-pātra within the set of ritual vessels, emphasizing distinct, separate handling of the vessel-based actions.
By codifying minute procedural details of Śrāddha and post-death rites—down to vessel designation and sequencing—it preserves practical dharma-ritual technology alongside the Purana’s broader subjects.
Correct separation and allocation of the preta-related vessel is presented as necessary for ritual purity and for ensuring the intended benefit to the departed and the pitṛs, avoiding doṣa (ritual fault).