Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
सम्पूज्य दत्वा पृथिवी समाना इति चाप्यथ धनेषु चेति क , ख , घ , ङ , छ , ज , ञ च योजयेत् प्रेतपिण्डं तु पिण्डेष्वन्येषु भार्गव
sampūjya datvā pṛthivī samānā iti cāpyatha dhaneṣu ceti ka , kha , gha , ṅa , cha , ja , ña ca yojayet pretapiṇḍaṃ tu piṇḍeṣvanyeṣu bhārgava
ਵਿਧੀ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਅਰਪਣ ਦੇ ਕੇ, ‘ਪ੍ਰਿਥਿਵੀ ਸਮਾਨਾ’ ਅਤੇ ‘ਧਨੇਸ਼ੁ’ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਪੜ੍ਹਦਿਆਂ, ਕ, ਖ, ਘ, ਙ, ਛ, ਜ, ਞ—ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਅੱਖਰ-ਗਰੁੱਪਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ, ਹੇ ਭਾਰਗਵ, ਪ੍ਰੇਤ-ਪਿੰਡ ਨੂੰ ਹੋਰ ਪਿੰਡਾਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਰੱਖੇ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Bhārgava)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Mantra-linked placement of the preta-piṇḍa among other piṇḍas, with specified recitations and a rule of assignment/ordering (varṇa/akṣara-gaṇa based).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mantra-recitation and Akṣara-gaṇa assignment for Preta-piṇḍa","lookup_keywords":["pṛthivī samānā","dhaneṣu","preta-piṇḍa","akṣara-gaṇa","piṇḍa-viniyoga"],"quick_summary":"After worship and offering, recite the specified mantras and then place the preta-piṇḍa among the other piṇḍas according to the prescribed letter-group assignment."}
Concept: Mantra and correct viniyoga (application/placement) together ‘complete’ the rite; sound and action must correspond.
Application: Do not merely recite—synchronize mantra with the exact placement of the preta-piṇḍa and keep the ordering rule consistent throughout the ritual.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Preta-kriyā and Piṇḍa-dāna rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist completes pūjā, then recites mantras while moving a distinct preta-piṇḍa into a row of other piṇḍas; a palm-leaf note shows akṣara-groups (ka, kha, gha, ṅa, cha, ja, ña) guiding placement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with raised right hand in recitation gesture, visible syllable-groups on a stylized palm-leaf, piṇḍas arranged in neat sequence on darbha, lamp-lit sanctity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold highlights on offering plates, mantra-recitation posture, decorative script panel showing ‘pṛthivī samānā’ and ‘dhaneṣu’, central focus on the distinct preta-piṇḍa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled piṇḍa positions and akṣara-gaṇa list, calm instructional composition, fine detailing of ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest reading from manuscript while assistant places the preta-piṇḍa among others, intricate textiles and utensils, emphasis on orderly sequence"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाप्यथ → च अपि अथ; चेति → च इति; पिण्डेष्वन्येषु → पिण्डेषु अन्येषु (स्वर-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (mantra usage in śrāddha; placement rules for piṇḍas)
FAQs
It specifies the operational step in śrāddha: after worship and mantra-recitation, the practitioner must correctly place/assign the preta-piṇḍa among the set of piṇḍas, following a letter-group (varṇa) based rule (ka, kha, gha, ṅa, cha, ja, ña).
Beyond theology, it preserves precise procedural ritual technology—mantra cues, sequencing, and classification rules for offerings—showing the Purana’s handbook-like coverage of dharma, samskāras, and applied liturgy.
Correctly offering and positioning the preta-piṇḍa is held to aid the departed’s onward transition and to secure ritual completeness (śrāddha-sampatti), generating merit (puṇya) and mitigating impediments for both the deceased and the performer.