Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 154: विवाहः
Vivāha — Marriage
आहूय दानं ब्राह्मः स्यात् कुलशीलयुताय तु पुरुषांस्तारयेत्तज्जो नित्यं कन्यप्रदानतः
āhūya dānaṃ brāhmaḥ syāt kulaśīlayutāya tu puruṣāṃstārayettajjo nityaṃ kanyapradānataḥ
Apabila (pengantin lelaki) dijemput secara rasmi dan anak dara diberikan (untuk dikahwinkan), itulah bentuk perkahwinan Brāhma—diberikan kepada lelaki yang berketurunan baik dan berakhlak mulia. Zuriat daripada (ikatan) itu sentiasa menyelamatkan para leluhur lelaki, berkat pahala pemberian anak perempuan.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purāṇa’s dharma teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Defines the Brāhma form of marriage (invited groom; gifting the maiden to a qualified man) and states its claimed ancestral merit, guiding ritual/legal classification of vivaha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Brāhma Vivāha: āhūya-kanyādāna to kula-śīla-yukta groom; pitṛ-tāraṇa phala","lookup_keywords":["brahma-vivaha","kanyadana","ahuyadana","kula-shila","pitr-tarana"],"quick_summary":"Brāhma marriage is the formal invitation and gifting of the maiden to a groom of good family and conduct; it is praised with merit said to benefit paternal ancestors through kanyādāna."}
Concept: Saṃskāra as merit-bearing social sacrament: the ethical qualification of the groom and the sanctity of kanyādāna are central; progeny is framed as continuing ritual benefit to ancestors.
Application: Classify marriages for ritual/legal purposes; emphasize character and lineage suitability in spouse selection and saṃskāra performance.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra / Saṃskāra-vidhi (Vivāha—Forms of Marriage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shraddha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal Brāhma wedding: the groom is ceremonially invited, seated with the bride under a marriage pavilion; the father performs kanyādāna with water-pot and sacred thread, priests recite mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vivaha-mandapa with stylized pillars, father pouring water for kanyādāna, priests with fire altar, serene devotional-dharma tone","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, lavish wedding pavilion with gold-leaf ornaments, bride and groom richly jeweled, kanyādāna moment central, sacred fire glowing with gold highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step saṃskāra depiction: invitation, seating, kanyādāna, fire ritual; fine lines and clear ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed wedding court scene with musicians and attendants, priests near fire altar, intimate kanyādāna gesture emphasized"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puruṣāṃstārayet → puruṣān + tārayet; tajjo → tad-jaḥ; kanyapradānataḥ → kanyā-pradānataḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vivaha-bheda enumeration (adjacent verses); Agni Purana: Śrāddha/pitṛ-kārya sections (for pitṛ-tāraṇa framing)
FAQs
It defines the Brāhma form of marriage as the formal invitation and gifting of the bride to a groom of good lineage and conduct, highlighting kanyā-pradāna as the core rite.
It preserves dharmaśāstra-style social and ritual classifications (vivāha-bheda) alongside other Agni Purāṇa subjects, showing the text’s coverage of law, ethics, and household rites in addition to theology.
It states that offspring from a properly performed Brāhma marriage aid in the deliverance of male ancestors, attributing enduring merit to the act of kanyā-dāna.