Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 42
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
प्रयच्छन्ति तथा राज्यं प्रीता नॄणां पितामहाः
prayacchanti tathā rājyaṃ prītā nṝṇāṃ pitāmahāḥ
ସେହିପରି ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ହୋଇ ମନୁଷ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ ପିତାମହଗଣ ରାଜ୍ୟ (ଆଧିପତ୍ୟ) ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରନ୍ତି।
Lord Agni (in narration to Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Connects political legitimacy and sovereignty (rājya) with ancestral satisfaction, encouraging rulers/aspirants to integrate pitṛ-rites into statecraft and personal merit-making.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pitṛ-prasāda as source of rājya (sovereignty)","lookup_keywords":["rājya","rājadharma","pitāmaha","śrāddha","prasāda"],"quick_summary":"The verse states that pleased forefathers can confer kingship/sovereignty, framing political power as dharma-supported and ancestrally sanctioned."}
Concept: Rājya is not merely conquest or inheritance; it is portrayed as a fruit of dharmic alignment and pitṛ-prasāda.
Application: For rulers: include śrāddha/tarpaṇa and charitable rites in royal routine to ground authority in dharma and public piety.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Kingship, governance, and merit of ancestral rites)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or prince performs śrāddha; above, forefathers (pitāmahas) bestow a crown or royal insignia, symbolizing sovereignty granted through ancestral favor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, regal figure in traditional attire offering śrāddha, pitṛs in upper register extending a crown and scepter, palace pillars in stylized flat perspective, deep reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king seated near ritual altar, heavy gold work on crown and ornaments, pitṛs haloed above presenting royal emblem, rich maroon background and ornate arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional royal-rite scene: king with purohita, śrāddha items neatly arranged, symbolic transfer of crown from ancestral figures, soft shading and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting with king performing rite, attendants and priests, ancestors in cloud-band offering a jeweled crown, intricate textiles and architectural detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No significant sandhi requiring splitting.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (śrāddha fruits); Agni Purana rājadharma sections (governance and merit themes)
FAQs
It states the operative principle of pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha: when ancestors are pleased through proper offerings and remembrance, they confer tangible worldly outcomes—here specifically rājya (sovereignty).
It links ritual law (śrāddha and ancestral satisfaction) with statecraft outcomes (kingship and political stability), showing how the text integrates dharma, karma, and governance into one knowledge system.
It teaches that honoring the ancestral line generates merit and removes obstacles to authority; ancestral satisfaction functions as a karmic support for prosperity, legitimacy, and success in rulership.