Shloka 173
Puṣkara Mahatmya: Brahmā’s Lotus-Tīrtha, Sacrifice, Initiation, and Kṣetra-Dharma
दर्शे वा पौर्णमास्यां वा कर्तव्यमग्निहोत्रकम् । प्रशस्तं दक्षिणादानं पुरोडाशं चरुक्रिया
darśe vā paurṇamāsyāṃ vā kartavyamagnihotrakam | praśastaṃ dakṣiṇādānaṃ puroḍāśaṃ carukriyā
दर्शे वा पौर्णमास्यां वा कर्तव्यमग्निहोत्रकम्; प्रशस्तं दक्षिणादानं पुरोडाशार्पणं चरुक्रिया च।
Unspecified (contextual narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; exact dialogue frame not provided in the input)
Concept: Vedic duty is time-bound: agnihotra and related offerings are to be performed on amāvāsyā (darśa) and pūrṇimā; dakṣiṇā and specific oblations (puroḍāśa, caru) are praised.
Application: Keep sacred routines consistent—observe lunar rhythms for prayer/charity, support teachers/priests ethically (dakṣiṇā), and make offerings with integrity rather than minimal compliance.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a clean earthen altar, a householder and priest prepare the agnihotra at twilight, measuring grains and ghee while the moon’s full disc rises in the background, signaling pūrṇimā. Nearby, a respectful dakṣiṇā is offered—cloth and coins placed on a leaf-plate—while puroḍāśa cakes steam on a small hearth.","primary_figures":["householder yajamāna","ṛtvik priest","Agni (personified in flame)"],"setting":"A yajña-śālā with vedi, kuśa grass, ladles, ghee pot, puroḍāśa cakes on leaves, caru pot simmering; sky showing either new-moon darkness or full-moon glow.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["fire orange","ash white","earth brown","moon silver","ghee gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: agnihotra scene with a radiant fire altar, priest and yajamāna in traditional attire, puroḍāśa cakes and caru vessel prominently detailed, gold leaf used for flames and halos, rich maroon and green textiles, ornate border with Vedic motifs and lotus medallions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate ritual courtyard under a luminous full moon, delicate smoke trails, fine detailing of ladles and vessels, soft gradients in the night sky, calm contemplative faces, minimal architecture with naturalistic trees and a quiet river hinted in distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized agni flame with bold outlines, priest and householder in profile, ritual vessels simplified, strong red-yellow-green palette, patterned floor and border, moon rendered as a bright disc with decorative rings.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical altar-centered composition, decorative floral borders, moon motif above, offering vessels and cakes arranged like mandala elements, deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns around the fire."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["crackle of fire","soft mantra undertone","night insects","gentle wind","brief bell chime"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्तव्यम् + अग्निहोत्रकम् → कर्तव्यमग्निहोत्रकम् (अनुस्वार/व्यञ्जन-सन्धि)
FAQs
It prescribes performing Agnihotra on either the new-moon (darśa/amāvāsyā) or the full-moon (paurṇamāsī) day, along with associated offerings and gifts.
Puroḍāśa is a sacrificial cake offering (typically made from grain/flour) presented in fire rites, while caru refers to a cooked oblation (a prepared food offering) used in specific sacrificial procedures.
The verse emphasizes dharmic regularity in ritual duty—timely worship through fire offerings and the importance of generosity through dakṣiṇā (ritual gifting) as part of sacred observance.