Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
गन्धोदकतिलैर् युक्तं कुर्यात् पात्रचतुष्टयं अर्घार्थपितृपात्रेषु प्रेतपात्रं प्रसेचयेत्
gandhodakatilair yuktaṃ kuryāt pātracatuṣṭayaṃ arghārthapitṛpātreṣu pretapātraṃ prasecayet
ಸುಗಂಧಜಲ ಮತ್ತು ಎಳ್ಳು ಸೇರಿಸಿದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಪಾತ್ರೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸಿದ್ಧಪಡಿಸಬೇಕು; ಪ್ರೇತಪಾತ್ರದಿಂದ ಅರ್ಘ್ಯಾರ್ಥ ಹಾಗೂ ಪಿತೃಪಾತ್ರೆಗಳಿಗೆ (ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಭಾಗ) ಸುರಿಯಬೇಕು।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"To set up the correct śrāddha vessels (four pātras) with gandhodaka and tila, and to perform the specific transfer from preta-pātra into pitṛ/arghya vessels as required in preta→pitṛ transition rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śrāddha Pātra-catuṣṭaya with Gandhodaka-Tila; Preta-pātra Seka","lookup_keywords":["pātra-catuṣṭaya","gandhodaka","tila","preta-pātra","arghya-pātra"],"quick_summary":"Prepare four vessels with scented water and sesame; then pour from the preta-vessel into the arghya and pitṛ vessels, ritually linking the preta-offering stream to pitṛ-offerings."}
Concept: Ritual materiality: specific substances and controlled transfers (seka) embody continuity from preta-state rites to pitṛ-state offerings.
Application: Ensures correct sequencing and symbolic integration of offerings, minimizing prayoga-doṣa in preta/pitṛ-kriyā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrāddha and Antyeṣṭi / Preta-kriyā rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four ritual vessels arranged on a clean platform; each contains scented water with sesame. The performer pours from the preta-vessel into the arghya and pitṛ vessels in a measured stream.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down clarity of four vessels on a ritual plank, visible sesame seeds in water, priest pouring from preta-pātra into other pātras, stylized ripples and floral scent motifs, traditional border","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate brass vessels with gold leaf shine, sesame seeds rendered as tiny dots, priest’s hand mid-pour, rich textile backdrop, devotional solemnity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like arrangement: four labeled vessels, clear pouring action from preta-pātra to arghya/pitṛ pātras, minimal background, precise lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed metalwork on vessels, careful depiction of water stream and sesame, quiet indoor ritual scene with carpets and low platform"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गन्ध+उदक+तिलैः → गन्धोदकतिलैर्; अर्घ+अर्थ+पितृ+पात्रेषु → अर्घार्थपितृपात्रेषु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (preta-kriyā and śrāddha vessel procedures around sapiṇḍīkaraṇa)
FAQs
It gives a precise śrāddha/preta-kriyā instruction: prepare four ritual vessels using scented water and sesame, then decant from the preta-vessel into the arghya- and Pitṛ-offering vessels as part of the offering sequence.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana preserves highly practical liturgical detail—vessel-count, substances (gandhodaka, tila), and transfer-actions—showing it functions as a procedural manual for domestic and funerary ritual practice.
Using tila and consecrated water and correctly directing offerings toward the Pitṛs is traditionally held to bring purification and satisfaction to the ancestors and to support the proper transition and pacification of the departed (preta), yielding merit (puṇya) for the performer.