Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 23
Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva Offering, and Bali (देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः)
पित्रे तु प्रथमं दद्यात्तत्पित्रे तदनन्तरम् प्रपितामहाय तन्मात्रे पितृमात्रे ततो ऽर्पयेत्
pitre tu prathamaṃ dadyāttatpitre tadanantaram prapitāmahāya tanmātre pitṛmātre tato 'rpayet
まず自らの父に供え、次いでその父（父方の祖父）に供える。さらに曾祖父に供え、そののち彼の母に、続いて父の母（父方の祖母）に捧げるべきである。
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Correct sequencing of pitṛ offerings in śrāddha/tarpaṇa: father first, then paternal grandfather, then great-grandfather, followed by maternal counterparts as specified.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Order of Offerings to Pitṛ Line (Father → Grandfather → Great-grandfather; then Mothers)","lookup_keywords":["śrāddha-krama","pitṛ-tarpaṇa","pitr̥-pitāmaha-prapitāmaha","mātṛ","offering order"],"quick_summary":"In ancestral rites, offerings proceed in a fixed hierarchy: father, grandfather, great-grandfather, then the corresponding mothers, preserving lineage order and ritual correctness."}
Concept: Pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors) is discharged through orderly, lineage-respecting offerings; hierarchy and remembrance are themselves dharma.
Application: When performing śrāddha/tarpaṇa, follow the prescribed genealogical order to avoid ritual confusion and to honor seniority in the pitṛ line.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and ancestral offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist offers water/food portions in sequence to three generations of paternal ancestors, then to the mothers, with separate small offering spots or vessels marking each recipient.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: five symbolic ancestor presences in subtle outline behind offering vessels; priest seated with kuśa, darbha ring, and water pot; calm, reverent palette with stylized ritual geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: five framed ancestor emblems (paternal trio, maternal pair) with gold borders; central performer offering with ladle/spoon; rich ornamentation emphasizing hierarchy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic yet elegant depiction—five labeled offering stations in order; fine brushwork, clear sequencing cues, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor ritual with five small plates aligned; scribe-like precision, delicate facial expressions of solemnity, detailed textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dadyāt+tatpitre → dadyāttatpitre; tat+anantaram → tadanantaram; tato+arpayet → tato 'rpayet (avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 263 (Śrāddha-vidhi section on pitṛ offerings)
FAQs
It prescribes the exact sequence (krama) for presenting Śrāddha/tarpaṇa offerings to paternal ancestors and related maternal figures, ensuring the rite follows dharmic protocol.
By recording precise household and śrauta-smārta ritual procedure—down to recipient order—it functions as a practical manual of dharma alongside the Purāṇa’s many other disciplines.
Correct order in Pitṛ-offerings is held to secure ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-prīti) and confer merit (puṇya) and familial well-being, while avoiding ritual fault arising from improper sequence.