Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
पितृभ्यः स्थानमसीति न्युब्जं पात्रं करोत्यधः अग्नौ करिष्य आदाय पृच्छत्यन्नं घृतप्लुतं
pitṛbhyaḥ sthānamasīti nyubjaṃ pātraṃ karotyadhaḥ agnau kariṣya ādāya pṛcchatyannaṃ ghṛtaplutaṃ
「汝は祖霊（pitṛs）の座である」と唱えて、器を地に伏せて置く。ついで火中に供えんとして、ギーで潤した食を取り上げて捧げ示し、儀礼として許可／受納を問い求める。
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Śrāddha/pitṛ-tarpaṇa setup: establishing the pitṛ-seat (āsana) with an inverted vessel, then preparing ghee-moistened anna for agni-offering after ritual assent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pitṛ-āsana-sthāpana and anna-ghṛta-nivedana before homa","lookup_keywords":["pitṛbhyaḥ sthānam asi","nyubja pātra","śrāddha vidhi","ghṛtapluta anna","anujñā (permission)"],"quick_summary":"Create the ritual seat for the Fathers by placing the vessel inverted, then present ghee-moistened food for offering, seeking formal acceptance before proceeding."}
Concept: Pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors) is discharged through orderly, consent-based ritual action (anujñā) and purity of offering.
Application: Perform śrāddha with procedural correctness—seat, assent, and properly prepared anna—so the rite is considered valid (yathāvidhi).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa / Śrāddha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder in a clean ritual space places a vessel upside-down as the pitṛ-seat, then lifts a leaf/plate of rice mixed with ghee toward the sacred fire, pausing in a gesture of asking permission.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, sacred domestic śrāddha scene: yajamāna in white dhoti, inverted vessel on ground marked as pitṛ-āsana, small agni-kunda with flames, offering of ghṛta-smeared anna held respectfully, minimal background, traditional ornamented borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents: central agni with stylized flames, yajamāna presenting ghṛtapluta anna, inverted pātra as pitṛ-āsana in foreground, rich textiles, halo-like emphasis on ritual fire, embossed gold detailing on vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework instructional composition: step-by-step feel—(1) inverted vessel labeled pitṛ-āsana, (2) ghee-mixed rice, (3) gesture of anujñā toward agni; soft colors, clear objects, calm faces.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate indoor courtyard, detailed utensils and textiles, small fire altar, yajamāna holding ghee-moistened food, attendant observing, inverted vessel placed carefully; delicate architectural framing and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थानम्+असि+इति → स्थानमसीति; करोति+अधः → करोत्यधः; पृच्छति+अन्नम् → पृच्छत्यन्नम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163.10 (homa after anujñā); Agni Purana 163.11 (pātra-abhimantraṇa); Agni Purana 163.12 (anna-saṃskāra mantras)
FAQs
It teaches a specific Śrāddha/Pitṛ-kriyā step: consecrating an offering vessel as the ‘seat’ of the pitṛs, placing it inverted on the ground, and then offering ghee-moistened food into Agni with a formal ritual request for acceptance.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves operational ritual protocol—mantra-cues, object placement, and offering method—showing its practical coverage of domestic rites (śrāddha, homa) alongside many other sciences and disciplines.
Correctly performing pitṛ-offerings with Agni as the carrier is held to nourish and honor ancestors, support lineage continuity, and generate purifying merit (puṇya) by fulfilling pitṛ-ṛṇa (the ancestral obligation).