Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 14
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
अपुत्रेण परक्षेत्रे नियोगोत्पादितः सुतः उभयोरप्यसावृक्थी पिण्डदाता च धर्मतः
aputreṇa parakṣetre niyogotpāditaḥ sutaḥ ubhayorapyasāvṛkthī piṇḍadātā ca dharmataḥ
O filho gerado por niyoga no “campo” de outro homem (isto é, por meio da esposa de um homem sem filho) torna-se, segundo o dharma, herdeiro de ambos e também o legítimo ofertante dos piṇḍa (bolas de arroz funerárias).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Determining heirship and śrāddha/pinda obligations for a niyoga-born son in cases of sonlessness and lineage continuity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Niyoga-produced son in another’s field: dual heir and piṇḍadātā","lookup_keywords":["niyoga","ksetra","aputra","vrkthi","pindadata"],"quick_summary":"Defines the status of a niyoga-born son as heir to both parties and as the lawful performer of funeral offerings, clarifying succession and ritual duty."}
Concept: Continuity of lineage and ancestral rites through dharmically regulated procreation and ritual obligation.
Application: Assign inheritance rights and śrāddha responsibility to prevent ritual discontinuity in sonless households.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Stri-dharma & Putra-vidhi (Niyoga, inheritance, funeral rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household without a son consults elders; later, the niyoga-born son performs piṇḍa offerings at a śrāddha with two paternal figures acknowledged.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, domestic ritual scene with sacred fire and offering plates, the son offering rice-balls, elders seated, two father-figures indicated by respectful posture, rich reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, śrāddha scene with gold accents on ritual vessels, son offering piṇḍa on banana leaf, priests chanting, ornate household backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of śrāddha setup: darbha grass, water pot, piṇḍa arrangement, son in simple attire, labeled ritual objects implied by composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with ritual platform, detailed utensils, priests and family members, subtle narrative of dual heirship through positioning of figures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उभयोरप्यसावृक्थी = उभयोः अपि असौ ऋक्थी
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (Stri-dharma/Putra-vidhi: niyoga, inheritance, śrāddha duties)
FAQs
It defines the dharmic status of a niyoga-born son: he is legally recognized for inheritance (ṛktha) and ritually competent to perform piṇḍadāna in śrāddha rites.
Beyond myth, it preserves Dharmaśāstra-style norms on lineage, legitimacy, property succession, and funerary obligations—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of social law alongside ritual and theology.
By authorizing the son to offer piṇḍas, the verse safeguards ancestral rites and continuity of pitṛ obligations, which are traditionally linked to the welfare of ancestors and the family’s dharmic merit.