Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 164: नवग्रहहोमः
Navagraha Fire-Offering
धेनुः शङ्खस् तथानड्वान् हेम वासो हयस् तथा खदिरस्त्वपामार्गो ऽथेति ग , घ , ञ च कृष्णा गौरायसश्छाग एता वै दक्षिणाः क्रमात्
dhenuḥ śaṅkhas tathānaḍvān hema vāso hayas tathā khadirastvapāmārgo 'theti ga , gha , ña ca kṛṣṇā gaurāyasaśchāga etā vai dakṣiṇāḥ kramāt
Sebagai dakṣiṇā menurut urutan, hendaknya diberikan: sapi perah, sangkha (kerang suci), lembu jantan, emas, pakaian, dan kuda; juga kayu khadira serta apāmārga. Demikian pula bagi golongan ga, gha, dan ña: sapi hitam, sapi putih/kekuningan, alat dari besi, dan kambing—itulah dakṣiṇā berurutan.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides priests/householders in selecting appropriate dakṣiṇā items in correct sequence for rites, ensuring ritual completeness and social-religious propriety.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dakṣiṇā-krama (ordered honoraria items)","lookup_keywords":["dakṣiṇā","dāna","dhenu","śaṅkha","aśva"],"quick_summary":"Provides an ordered list of ritual dakṣiṇās—livestock, valuables, and specific materials—used to complete rites and satisfy officiants according to prescribed sequence."}
Concept: Ritual reciprocity and dhārmic completion through properly ordered gifts (dakṣiṇā).
Application: Use the listed items as standard dakṣiṇā options; prioritize sequence and suitability to rite and officiant.
Khanda Section: Dāna-Dakṣiṇā-Vidhi (Ritual Gifts and Priest’s Fees)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yajamāna presents ordered dakṣiṇā items—cow, conch, bull, gold, cloth, horse, khadira wood, apāmārga—before a seated priestly assembly beside a ritual fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: ritual pavilion with agni-kuṇḍa, brahmin priests in white, yajamāna offering cow and conch, neatly arranged gold and vastra, stylized flora showing khadira and apāmārga, flat warm palette, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central priest receiving dakṣiṇā, gold-leaf emphasis on hema and ornaments, richly patterned vastra, cow and horse in profile, conch highlighted, symmetrical composition with ornamental arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional layout showing each dakṣiṇā item labeled, priest and donor in calm poses, delicate linework, muted colors, emphasis on sequence and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly ritual scene with detailed textiles, attendants holding conch and cloth, livestock rendered naturalistically, gold coins and khadira sticks on a tray, fine architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथानड्वान् = तथा + अनड्वान्; खदिरस्त्वपामार्गो = खदिरः + तु + अपामार्गः; ऽथेति = अथ + इति; गौरायसश्छाग = गौरा + आयसः + छागः (श्छ = स् + छ sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 164 (Navagraha-homa context; dakṣiṇā adjuncts); Agni Purana dāna-prakaraṇa sections (general gift-taxonomy)
FAQs
It prescribes the correct sequence of dakṣiṇā (ritual fees) to be given in a sacrificial/ceremonial context, listing specific items (cow, conch, bull, gold, cloth, horse, and ritual-associated materials like khadira and apāmārga), and indicating additional classified allocations under ga/gha/ña groupings.
Beyond theology, it documents practical ritual administration—what to pay, in what order, and with technical classifications—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of procedural dharma, priestly remuneration, and material culture alongside spiritual teaching.
Proper dakṣiṇā is treated as an essential completion of ritual action; giving the prescribed gifts supports ṛtvik-s, sustains dharma, and is understood to secure ritual efficacy and merit (puṇya) by honoring the sacrificial order.