Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 11
Explanation of the Final Dissolution (Ātyantika Laya) and the Arising of Hiraṇyagarbha — Subtle Body, Post-Death Transit, Rebirth, and Embodied Constituents
वसेत् क्षुधा तृषा युक्त आमश्राद्धान्नभुङ्नरः आतिवाहिकेदेहात्तु प्रेतपिण्डैर् विना नरः
vaset kṣudhā tṛṣā yukta āmaśrāddhānnabhuṅnaraḥ ātivāhikedehāttu pretapiṇḍair vinā naraḥ
മനുഷ്യൻ വിശപ്പും ദാഹവും അനുഭവിച്ച് ശ്രാദ്ധത്തിലെ പച്ച (അപചിത) അന്നത്തിൽ മാത്രം ആശ്രയിച്ച് കഴിയുന്നു; കൂടാതെ ആത്മവാഹിക ദേഹത്തിൽ പ്രേതപിണ്ഡങ്ങൾ ഇല്ലാതെ അവനെ നിലനിർത്താൻ കഴിയില്ല.
Lord Agni (in dialogue to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Motivates regular śrāddha/piṇḍa offerings by describing the departed’s hunger-thirst and dependence on preta-piṇḍas in the ātivāhika state.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hunger-thirst of the ātivāhika being and necessity of preta-piṇḍas","lookup_keywords":["kṣudhā-tṛṣā","ātivāhika-deha","preta-piṇḍa","śrāddha food","sustenance"],"quick_summary":"The departed in the transitional body is afflicted by hunger and thirst and cannot be sustained without the piṇḍa offerings; śrāddha provisions are portrayed as essential nourishment."}
Concept: Pitṛ-kriyā is not symbolic only; it is framed as direct aid to the departed’s experiential condition in the intermediate state.
Application: Do not neglect piṇḍa offerings and scheduled śrāddhas; ensure proper performance and continuity until prescribed transitions are completed.
Khanda Section: Preta-Karma and Śrāddha-Vidhi (Funerary Rites / Ancestor Offerings)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gaunt, translucent ātivāhika figure with parched lips and longing gaze reaches toward piṇḍas offered at a śrāddha altar; the offering’s essence flows to sustain him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, emotive depiction of hungry-thirsty subtle being, stylized flames and lamps, piṇḍas on banana leaf, compassionate householders, bold outlines and earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented śrāddha setup with gold accents, luminous stream from piṇḍas to subtle figure, devotional framing, ornate arch border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene showing cause-effect: without piṇḍa the being weak; with piṇḍa the being steadied; fine linework, soft palette, explanatory cartouches","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtyard ritual, detailed vessels and textiles, translucent figure rendered delicately, emphasis on facial expression of thirst, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yukta āmaśrāddhānnabhuṅnaraḥ normalized as yuktaḥ āma-śrāddha-anna-bhuk naraḥ; ātivāhikedehāttu → ātivāhika-dehāt tu; pretapiṇḍair → preta-piṇḍaiḥ (visarga/sandhi variant before v); vinā naraḥ separated.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: sections describing preta’s dependence on offerings and timing of śrāddha
FAQs
It teaches the preta-śrāddha principle that the departed, in the ātivāhika (transitional subtle) body, is sustained through preta-piṇḍa offerings; without piṇḍas the being experiences hunger and thirst.
Beyond theology, it records a practical ritual-technology of funerary rites—linking metaphysical anatomy (ātivāhika-deha) with concrete procedures (piṇḍa and śrāddha food)—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of dharma, ritual, and post-death anthropology.
It frames piṇḍa-dāna/śrāddha as a duty that relieves the preta’s suffering and supports its onward journey; neglect results in continued distress (hunger and thirst) in the post-death transitional state.