Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 28
Dānādi-māhātmya — The Glory of Gifts, Manuscript-Donation, and Purāṇic Transmission
अयनादौ श्राबकस्य दानमादौ विधीयते श्रोतृभिः सकलैः कार्यं श्रावके पूजनं द्विज
ayanādau śrābakasya dānamādau vidhīyate śrotṛbhiḥ sakalaiḥ kāryaṃ śrāvake pūjanaṃ dvija
នៅដើមអយនៈ (ayana) គេកំណត់ឲ្យធ្វើទានជាមុនដល់ស្រាវកៈ (śrāvaka) អ្នកសទ្ធាអ្នកស្តាប់ធម៌។ អ្នកស្តាប់ទាំងអស់គួរធ្វើពិធីបូជាស្រាវកៈ ឱ ព្រាហ្មណ៍។
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"At ayana transitions (solstitial turning points), prioritize gifting to and honoring the śrāvaka; coordinate communal worship by all listeners to strengthen collective observance and merit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ayana-ādi dāna and śrāvaka-pūjana by listeners","lookup_keywords":["ayana","ayana-ādi","śrāvaka","pūjana","śrotṛ"],"quick_summary":"At the start of ayana, first give gifts to the śrāvaka; all listeners should collectively honor the śrāvaka, making the observance communal and time-aligned."}
Concept: Dharma is reinforced by honoring exemplary practitioners (śrāvaka) and by synchronizing charity with sacred time (ayana).
Application: On solstice/ayana observances, organize community recognition of dedicated devotees/teachers and begin the rite with targeted charity.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra & Dāna-Pūjā-Vidhi (Ritual gifts, lay worship, and observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Calendrical marker (ayana)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At an ayana beginning, a gathered audience of listeners offers gifts and performs pūjā to a śrāvaka seated respectfully; seasonal symbols (sun’s course) appear in the setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, community assembly with oil lamps, śrāvaka honored with garland and sandal paste, sun-disc motif indicating ayana, devotees offering cloth and coins, flat ceremonial composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central śrāvaka on a decorated seat, gold foil sun emblem above, listeners in rows offering gifts, rich temple interior with ornate pillars","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear instructional scene: ayana marker shown as sun moving along an arc, first dāna to śrāvaka, then collective pūjā by śrotṛs, delicate linework and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, seasonal courtyard with a sun dial/astronomical motif, assembled listeners presenting gifts to a pious devotee, detailed garments and architectural depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Surya-kant (if available)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ayanādau = ayana + ādau; dānamādau = dānam + ādau.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 271 (dāna-pūjā-vidhi; listener duties)
FAQs
It gives a procedural rule for observance at the start of an ayana: begin with dāna (charitable gifting) directed to a śrāvaka and formally honor (pūjā) that śrāvaka by the assembled listeners.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical dharma-vidhi—calendar-tied ritual procedure (ayana), social-religious roles (śrotṛ, śrāvaka, dvija), and prioritized sequencing (ādau) of giving and worship.
By starting the ayana with dāna and honoring a devoted śrāvaka, one is directed toward puṇya through generosity and reverence for devotion, aligning personal conduct with auspicious seasonal transitions.