Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 22
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
प्रदक्षिणमनुब्रज्य भक्त्वा तु पितृसेवितं ब्रह्मचारी भवेत्तान्तु रजनीं ब्राह्मणैः सह
pradakṣiṇamanubrajya bhaktvā tu pitṛsevitaṃ brahmacārī bhavettāntu rajanīṃ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha
Tendo-os acompanhado na pradakṣiṇā (circumambulação reverente pela direita) e tendo comido o que foi oferecido em serviço aos Pitṛs, ele deve permanecer como brahmacārī (observante do celibato); e, naquela noite, deve ficar junto com os brāhmaṇas.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Post-śrāddha conduct: accompany with pradakṣiṇā, partake of the pitṛ-offered food as prescribed, observe brahmacarya for the night, and lodge with brāhmaṇas (or remain in their company) as a discipline of purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Post-Śrāddha observances: pradakṣiṇā, pitṛ-sevita-bhojana, and brahmacarya for the night","lookup_keywords":["pradakṣiṇā","pitṛ-sevita","bhojana","brahmacarya","rātri-vrata"],"quick_summary":"After concluding śrāddha, one performs reverential circumambulation, eats the sanctioned remainder connected with Pitṛ service, and maintains celibate restraint and disciplined conduct through the night in the brāhmaṇas’ presence."}
Concept: Ritual is completed by ethical/behavioral sealing: bodily restraint (brahmacarya) and respectful accompaniment (pradakṣiṇā) preserve the rite’s sanctity.
Application: Treat the post-rite period as a mini-vrata: avoid indulgence, keep speech and senses restrained, and remain in sāttvika company.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-kriyā and post-rite observances)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The performer respectfully circumambulates and accompanies the brāhmaṇas, then eats the sanctioned offering; night scene shows him observing restraint and staying in a simple lodging with brāhmaṇas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession-like pradakṣiṇā around a ritual space, brāhmaṇas walking, performer following with folded hands, later a night interior with oil lamp, calm seated figures, subdued palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, circumambulation around a decorated ritual area, gold detailing on lamps and vessels, later a serene night tableau with brāhmaṇas seated, emphasis on auspicious discipline.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, two-panel instructional scene: (1) pradakṣiṇā following brāhmaṇas, (2) night observance of brahmacarya with simple bedding and lamp, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard walk with attendants, then an evening chamber with lamp-lit gathering, detailed textiles, quiet gestures indicating restraint and decorum."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"observance","suggested_raga":"Kalyāṇi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रदक्षिणमनुब्रज्य = प्रदक्षिणम् + अनुब्रज्य; भवेत्तान्तु = भवेत् + तान् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: rules of śrāddha-bhojana and śeṣa (remainders); Agni Purana: vrata-lakṣaṇa and brahmacarya observances
FAQs
It prescribes post-Śrāddha conduct: escorting with pradakṣiṇā, partaking of the Pitṛ-offering (as prasāda of the rite), maintaining brahmacarya, and spending the night in the company/presence of brāhmaṇas as a discipline of ritual purity.
Beyond theology, it records procedural dharma—minute rules of conduct after ancestral rites—showing the text’s coverage of practical ritual law (ācāra), purity observances, and social-religious protocol involving brāhmaṇas.
The restraint of brahmacarya and association with brāhmaṇas after Pitṛ-service is framed as safeguarding the rite’s purity and merit, stabilizing the spiritual fruit of honoring ancestors and preventing ritual leakage through indulgence or impurity.