Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 37
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
स्वर्गं ह्य् अपत्यमोजश् च शौर्यं क्षेत्रं बलं तथा पुत्रश्रैष्ठ्यं ससौभाग्यमपत्यं मुख्यतां सुतान्
svargaṃ hy apatyamojaś ca śauryaṃ kṣetraṃ balaṃ tathā putraśraiṣṭhyaṃ sasaubhāgyamapatyaṃ mukhyatāṃ sutān
ແທ້ຈິງ ລູກຫຼານເປັນເຫດໃຫ້ໄດ້ສະຫວັນ; ເປັນພະລັງອຳນາດ ແລະຄວາມກ້າຫານ, ເປັນ “ນາ” ແຫ່ງສາຍວົງສະກຸນ (ການສືບຕໍ່) ແລະເປັນກຳລັງດ້ວຍ. ຄວາມເລີດຂອງລູກຊາຍພ້ອມດ້ວຍໂຊກດີ—ລູກຫຼານ, ໂດຍສະເພາະລູກຊາຍ, ຖືກປະກາດວ່າເປັນຊັບສິນສູງສຸດ।
Lord Agni (narrating in the Agni Purana’s standard discourse framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Gṛhastha and rājadharma framing of progeny: articulating why putra/aptya is valued—lineage continuity, strength, social stability, and auspicious fortune—guiding household priorities and rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Apatya-māhātmya (progeny as heaven, vigor, valor, and lineage-field)","lookup_keywords":["apatya","putra-shreshtha","grihastha-dharma","ksetra","saubhagya"],"quick_summary":"Progeny is praised as the foremost ‘wealth’: it is linked to svarga, vitality, valor, and the continuity-field of lineage, bringing strength and auspicious fortune through excellent sons."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Gṛhastha-dharma values apatyam as a dharmic instrument: sustaining pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors), social order, and personal flourishing.
Application: Prioritize saṃskāras, education, and ethical formation of children; treat progeny not merely as possession but as responsibility that supports dharma and family continuity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Grihastha-dharma (Putra, Apatya, and household prosperity themes)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household scene showing parents with children; symbolic ‘field’ imagery (kṣetra) blending with a family tree; sons depicted as bearers of strength and fortune; subtle svarga motif above.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: serene family tableau with stylized family tree and a golden svarga band above, calm faces, flat iconic forms, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: auspicious family portrait with ornate jewelry and gold-leaf accents, children as central ‘wealth’, lotus motifs for saubhāgya, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic allegory—family with a labeled ‘kṣetra’ (field) motif and lineage tree, fine linework, soft colors, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate domestic courtyard with parents and sons, detailed textiles, a symbolic garden/field suggesting kṣetra, refined naturalism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ह्य् → हि (यण्-सन्धिः); अपत्यमोजश् → अपत्यम् + ओजः; ससौभाग्यमपत्यं → स-सौभाग्यम् + अपत्यम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana gṛhastha-dharma and putra-saṃskāra discussions elsewhere; adjacent 163 verses on śrāddha/dāna supporting lineage
FAQs
It conveys dharma-vidya for household life: progeny (especially sons, in this context) is treated as a primary support of merit (svarga), social strength, and continuity of the family line.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies social-ethical values of grihastha life—here summarizing why progeny is prized for merit, prosperity, and lineage stability.
It frames offspring as a karmic support for dharmic continuity and merit, implying that sustaining lineage and righteous household life is connected with heavenly reward and worldly well-being.