Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
जप्त्वा यथासुखं वाच्यं भुञ्जीरंस्ते ऽपि वाग्यताः अन्नमिष्टं हविष्यञ्च दद्याज्जप्त्वा पवित्रकं
japtvā yathāsukhaṃ vācyaṃ bhuñjīraṃste 'pi vāgyatāḥ annamiṣṭaṃ haviṣyañca dadyājjaptvā pavitrakaṃ
जप्त्वा यथासुखं वाच्यं; तेऽपि वाग्यताः सन्तो भुञ्जीरन्। पुनर्जप्त्वा इष्टमन्नं हविष्यं च पवित्रकं सह दद्यात्।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual conduct after japa: controlled speech (vāg-yama), permitted conversation as needed, mindful eating, then renewed japa and distribution of desired food/havis along with pavitraka (purifying ring/kuśa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa-uttara ācāra: vāg-yama, bhojana, and dāna with pavitraka","lookup_keywords":["japa","vāgyata","havis","pavitraka","śrāddha conduct"],"quick_summary":"Maintain disciplined speech and conduct around the rite: after japa, eat with restraint, repeat japa, and then give offerings/food together with the purifying pavitraka."}
Concept: Ācāra (conduct)—especially vāg-yama and repeated mantra—guards the sanctity of both offering and consumption; purity is maintained through pavitraka.
Application: During śrāddha/pujā meals, minimize idle talk, keep attention steady, and conclude with mantra and purified distribution.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Japa, Homa, and ritual conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Participants sit to eat quietly after japa; the officiant holds a pavitraka (kuśa ring/grass) and later distributes havis/food with renewed mantra recitation, maintaining a composed demeanor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: seated diners with restrained expressions, minimal speech, yajamāna with kuśa pavitraka on finger, small agni nearby, rhythmic mantra bands in the border, earthy palette and stylized gestures of silence.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central figure with pavitraka highlighted in gold, offering bowls and havis, participants seated respectfully, ornate gold detailing on vessels and borders, emphasis on purity and order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene showing ‘japa → quiet eating → japa → dāna’, with pavitraka clearly drawn on the hand; clean composition, fine lines, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined dining-and-ritual closure scene, subtle gestures indicating silence, pavitraka ring visible, attendants with bowls of havis, delicate textiles and architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुञ्जीरन्+ते → भुञ्जीरंस्ते; ते+अपि → तेऽपि; हविष्यम्+च → हविष्यञ्च; दद्यात्+जप्त्वा → दद्याज्जप्त्वा
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163.12 (mantra sanctification); Agni Purana 163.10 (post-homa distribution)
FAQs
It prescribes post-japa conduct: controlled speech while eating, and the rule that food (anna) and oblation-material (havis) should be given/assigned only after performing japa again, together with a pavitraka used to sanctify the act.
It records precise procedural details of worship—linking mantra-recitation, dietary discipline, and ritual gifting/offerings—showing the text’s practical coverage of liturgy and household-sacrificial protocol alongside its many other disciplines.
By pairing japa with restraint of speech and properly sanctified giving (anna/havis with pavitraka), the act becomes ritually pure and merit-bearing (puṇya), minimizing impurity from casual speech and ensuring offerings are made in a consecrated state.