Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 2
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
प्राच्योपवेशयेत् पीठे युग्मान्दैवे ऽथ पित्रके अयुग्मान् प्राङ्मुखान्दैवे त्रीन् पैत्रे चैकमेव वा
prācyopaveśayet pīṭhe yugmāndaive 'tha pitrake ayugmān prāṅmukhāndaive trīn paitre caikameva vā
प्राच्यां दिशि पीठेषु उपवेशयेत्; दैवे युग्मान्, पित्र्ये अयुग्मान्। दैवे प्राङ्मुखान्; पैत्रे त्रीन्, अथवा एकमेव (उपवेशयेत्)।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Correct seating number, orientation, and arrangement of brāhmaṇas for deva- and pitṛ-śrāddha segments to ensure ritual validity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śrāddha Seating: Direction, Parity, and Count","lookup_keywords":["śrāddha seating","prācya upaveśana","even odd brāhmaṇas","deva-kārya","pitṛ-kārya"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes east-arranged seating: even-numbered brāhmaṇas for deva offerings and odd-numbered for pitṛ offerings; specifies facing and acceptable counts (three or one) for the pitṛ portion."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on niyama: directionality (dik), number symbolism (yugma/ayugma), and role-separation (deva vs pitṛ).
Application: When conducting śrāddha, plan seating layout beforehand: align seats eastward, choose even/odd counts appropriately, and ensure correct facing for each segment.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrāddha / Pitṛ-kriyā and seating arrangements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual hall with seats laid in an eastward row; two brāhmaṇas (even) for deva rite facing east, and three (odd) for pitṛ rite arranged distinctly; the host indicates directions with a staff/hand gesture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized floor plan with east indicated by a sun motif, brāhmaṇas seated on low wooden pīṭhas, host arranging kuśa; bold outlines, symmetrical composition emphasizing parity (2 vs 3).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold-work; central row of ornate seats, gold directional markers, brāhmaṇas with sacred threads; visual emphasis on even/odd grouping using gold-framed clusters.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting; clear diagram-like scene with arrows for east, labels ‘daive yugmān’ and ‘pitr̥ke ayugmān’, showing options ‘3’ or ‘1’; soft colors, precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; interior with carpets and low platforms, host arranging guests by number; subtle directional cues via window light from the east; meticulous faces and garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राच्योपवेशयेत् = प्राची + उपवेशयेत् (ई + उ → यो); युग्मान्दैवे = युग्मान् + दैवे (न् + द्); ऽथ = अथ (अवग्रह); प्राङ्मुखान्दैवे = प्राङ्मुखान् + दैवे; चैकमेव = च + एकम् + एव (च + ए → चै).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (subsequent śrāddha steps: offerings, kuśa, vaiśvadeva links)
FAQs
It gives procedural Śrāddha-vidhi: how to seat Brāhmaṇas—eastward arrangement, even numbers for Deva-kārya, odd numbers for Pitṛ-kārya, and permissible counts (three or one) for the ancestral offering.
It preserves highly specific domestic-ritual protocol (orientation, counting rules, and seating etiquette), showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical dharma alongside theology—one of its hallmark encyclopedic features.
Correct orientation and prescribed numbers are treated as essential to ritual efficacy: they ensure the offerings properly reach Devas and Pitṛs, supporting purification, ancestral satisfaction, and the performer’s merit (puṇya).