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
ಅಯನದ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲು ಶ್ರಾವಕನಿಗೆ ದಾನ ನೀಡುವುದು ವಿಧಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೇ ದ್ವಿಜ! ಎಲ್ಲ ಶ್ರೋತರೂ ಶ್ರಾವಕನನ್ನು ಪೂಜಿಸಬೇಕು.
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.