Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 20
Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva Offering, and Bali (देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः)
सोमाय सोमपुरुषेभ्य उदग्दद्यादनन्तरं ब्रह्मणे ब्रह्मपुरुषेभ्यो मध्ये दद्यात्तथैव च
somāya somapuruṣebhya udagdadyādanantaraṃ brahmaṇe brahmapuruṣebhyo madhye dadyāttathaiva ca
त्यानंतर उत्तर दिशेला सोम आणि सोम-पुरुषांना, तसेच मध्यभागी ब्रह्मा आणि ब्रह्म-पुरुषांना त्याचप्रमाणे बळी द्यावा.
Lord Agni (in instruction-mode, narrating ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Directional and central offerings: north-facing offering to Soma and attendants, then to Brahmā and attendants, with a central placement—used in śrāddha/pitṛ-kriyā sequences to complete the mandala of appeasement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"North to Soma; center to Brahmā (with attendant hosts)","lookup_keywords":["soma-uttara","brahmā-madhya","dik-bali","soma-puruṣa","brahma-puruṣa"],"quick_summary":"Offer facing north to Soma and his beings, then to Brahmā and his beings, placing the offering in the middle—completing a directional-cum-central ritual grid."}
Concept: Mandala logic: ritual space mirrors cosmic administration—lunar nourishment (Soma) and creative order (Brahmā) integrated through direction and center.
Application: In śrāddha adjunct offerings, ensure correct facing (north) and central placement to ‘seal’ the rite with auspicious stabilizing forces.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-kriyā and post-funeral/ancestral offering procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Directional (dik) and central (madhya) context
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A performer turns to the north to offer to Soma and attendant beings, then places an offering to Brahmā and attendants at the center of the ritual ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Soma depicted cool and luminous with crescent and nectar motifs at the north edge; Brahmā four-faced at the center with attendants; the ritualist oriented northward; calm, balanced composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Soma with silver-blue tones and gold halo on the north side; Brahmā richly ornamented at the center with gold embossing; offerings arranged symmetrically; auspicious domestic-ritual setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear compass and central square; step 1 ‘uttara—Soma’, step 2 ‘madhya—Brahmā’; minimalistic deity emblems; pedagogical clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: geometric ritual carpet/ground with central medallion for Brahmā; Soma in a moonlit cloud band aligned to the north; the officiant’s posture shows turning north; fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उदग्दद्यादनन्तरं = उदक् दद्यात् अनन्तरम्; तथैव = तथा एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 263.19 (south/west offerings); Agni Purana 263.17–263.21 (full bali schema)
FAQs
It specifies the sequencing and orientation of offerings in śrāddha: offer facing north to Soma and his associated beings, then to Brahmā and his associated beings, and place a designated offering centrally (madhye) according to the rite’s layout.
It functions as a procedural rule within a larger ritual handbook section, showing how the Agni Purana preserves precise liturgical details—directionality (udak), recipient-classes (Soma/Brahmā and their gaṇas), and placement (madhye)—alongside its many other domains (dharma, polity, medicine, arts).
Correct recipient-allocation, direction, and placement are treated as essential for the offering to reach the intended divine channels, thereby supporting ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-tṛpti) and accruing merit (puṇya) through properly ordered śrāddha.