Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 23
Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva Offering, and Bali (देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः)
पित्रे तु प्रथमं दद्यात्तत्पित्रे तदनन्तरम् प्रपितामहाय तन्मात्रे पितृमात्रे ततो ऽर्पयेत्
pitre tu prathamaṃ dadyāttatpitre tadanantaram prapitāmahāya tanmātre pitṛmātre tato 'rpayet
Hendaklah persembahan diberikan terlebih dahulu kepada ayah sendiri; kemudian kepada ayahnya (datuk sebelah bapa). Seterusnya kepada moyang lelaki (datuk kepada datuk), lalu kepada ibunya, dan selepas itu kepada ibu kepada ayah (nenek sebelah bapa).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Correct sequencing of pitṛ offerings in śrāddha/tarpaṇa: father first, then paternal grandfather, then great-grandfather, followed by maternal counterparts as specified.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Order of Offerings to Pitṛ Line (Father → Grandfather → Great-grandfather; then Mothers)","lookup_keywords":["śrāddha-krama","pitṛ-tarpaṇa","pitr̥-pitāmaha-prapitāmaha","mātṛ","offering order"],"quick_summary":"In ancestral rites, offerings proceed in a fixed hierarchy: father, grandfather, great-grandfather, then the corresponding mothers, preserving lineage order and ritual correctness."}
Concept: Pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors) is discharged through orderly, lineage-respecting offerings; hierarchy and remembrance are themselves dharma.
Application: When performing śrāddha/tarpaṇa, follow the prescribed genealogical order to avoid ritual confusion and to honor seniority in the pitṛ line.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-tarpaṇa and ancestral offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist offers water/food portions in sequence to three generations of paternal ancestors, then to the mothers, with separate small offering spots or vessels marking each recipient.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: five symbolic ancestor presences in subtle outline behind offering vessels; priest seated with kuśa, darbha ring, and water pot; calm, reverent palette with stylized ritual geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: five framed ancestor emblems (paternal trio, maternal pair) with gold borders; central performer offering with ladle/spoon; rich ornamentation emphasizing hierarchy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic yet elegant depiction—five labeled offering stations in order; fine brushwork, clear sequencing cues, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor ritual with five small plates aligned; scribe-like precision, delicate facial expressions of solemnity, detailed textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dadyāt+tatpitre → dadyāttatpitre; tat+anantaram → tadanantaram; tato+arpayet → tato 'rpayet (avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 263 (Śrāddha-vidhi section on pitṛ offerings)
FAQs
It prescribes the exact sequence (krama) for presenting Śrāddha/tarpaṇa offerings to paternal ancestors and related maternal figures, ensuring the rite follows dharmic protocol.
By recording precise household and śrauta-smārta ritual procedure—down to recipient order—it functions as a practical manual of dharma alongside the Purāṇa’s many other disciplines.
Correct order in Pitṛ-offerings is held to secure ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-prīti) and confer merit (puṇya) and familial well-being, while avoiding ritual fault arising from improper sequence.