Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
उपतिष्ठतामित्यक्षय्यस्थाने पितृविसर्जने अभिरम्यतामिति वदेद् ब्रूयुस्ते ऽभिरताः स्म ह
upatiṣṭhatāmityakṣayyasthāne pitṛvisarjane abhiramyatāmiti vaded brūyuste 'bhiratāḥ sma ha
പിതൃവിസർജന സമയത്ത് ‘അക്ഷയ്യസ്ഥാന’ത്തിൽ ‘ഉപതിഷ്ഠതാം’ (ഇപ്പോൾ എഴുന്നേറ്റ്/പ്രസ്ഥാനം ചെയ്യുക) എന്ന് പറയണം; തുടർന്ന് ‘അഭിരമ്യതാം’ (സ്വധാമത്തിൽ ആനന്ദിക്കട്ടെ) എന്ന് പറയണം; അവർ സന്തുഷ്ടരായി അതുപോലെ മറുപടി നൽകുന്നു।
Lord Agni (instructional narration in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"To perform the correct verbal formulas at pitṛ-visarjana (dismissal), especially at the akṣayya-sthāna, ensuring respectful closure of the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Pitṛ-Visarjana Vākya (dismissal formulas at Akṣayya-sthāna)","lookup_keywords":["pitṛ-visarjana","akṣayya-sthāna","upatiṣṭhatām","abhiramyatām"],"quick_summary":"At dismissal, the performer utters set imperatives—'upatiṣṭhatām' and 'abhiramyatām'—to conclude the pitṛ-invitation and send them satisfied to their abode."}
Concept: Speech as ritual action (vāk-kriyā): prescribed utterances complete the yajña-like sequence and secure satisfaction (tṛpti) of pitṛs.
Application: Use the exact dismissal formulas to avoid incomplete śrāddha and to mark the transition from invitation (āvāhana) to respectful release (visarjana).
Khanda Section: Pitṛ-kriyā / Śrāddha-vidhi (Rites for Ancestors and Ritual Dismissal)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the close of śrāddha, the performer stands at the akṣayya-sthāna, hands in añjali, uttering dismissal words; subtle depiction of pitṛs departing satisfied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized akṣayya-sthāna near water/altar, priest in añjali speaking 'upatiṣṭhatām' and 'abhiramyatām', faint ancestral silhouettes moving upward, calm ochres and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on the ritual platform marking akṣayya-sthāna, devotee in añjali, luminous aura suggesting pitṛs pleased, rich decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: akṣayya-sthāna clearly indicated, priest reciting dismissal, minimal background, emphasis on gesture and text-scroll motif with the two phrases","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined courtyard scene, scholar-priest reciting, attendants quiet, delicate calligraphic cartouche containing 'upatiṣṭhatām' and 'abhiramyatām', subdued elegance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपतिष्ठताम्+इति → उपतिष्ठतामिति; अभिरम्यताम्+इति → अभिरम्यतामिति; ते+अभिरताः → ते ऽभिरताः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (pitṛ-kriyā sequence: āvāhana, bhojana, visarjana)
FAQs
It gives the precise dismissal formulas (visarjana-vākya) to be spoken at the akṣayya-sthāna when concluding the Pitṛ-rite: “upatiṣṭhatām” and “abhiramyatām.”
It preserves liturgical micro-instructions—exact ritual speech-acts and their placement (akṣayya-sthāna)—showing the text’s coverage of practical dharma alongside broader theology and lore.
Correctly dismissing the Pitṛs with the prescribed words marks respectful completion of the rite, aiming at their satisfaction (tṛpti) and the practitioner’s enduring merit (akṣayya-phala) from properly concluded śrāddha.