Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
रूप्यकुम्भेन याम्ये च क्षीरपूर्णेन क्षत्रियः दध्ना च ताम्रकुम्भेन वैश्यः पश्चिमगेन च
rūpyakumbhena yāmye ca kṣīrapūrṇena kṣatriyaḥ dadhnā ca tāmrakumbhena vaiśyaḥ paścimagena ca
దక్షిణ దిశలో క్షత్రియుడు పాలు నిండిన వెండి కలశంతో (విధిని) నిర్వహించాలి. అలాగే పశ్చిమ దిశలో వైశ్యుడు పెరుగు నిండిన తామ్ర కలశంతో (విధిని) నిర్వహించాలి.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Directional and varṇa-linked donation/rite protocol: specifying vessel metal and contents (silver+milk for Kṣatriya in south; copper+curd for Vaiśya in west) for auspicious gifting during consecration-related ceremonies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dāna-vidhi: varṇa–dik–dravya–kumbha-niyama","lookup_keywords":["dāna-vidhi","dik (yāmya/paścima)","rūpya-kumbha","tāmra-kumbha","kṣīra/dadhi"],"quick_summary":"Ritual gifting is standardized by direction, donor class, vessel metal, and offering substance—milk in a silver pot to the south for a Kṣatriya; curd in a copper pot to the west for a Vaiśya."}
Concept: Dāna is not merely generosity but a regulated sacramental act aligned with direction, substance, and social duty.
Application: When performing prescribed dāna in consecration contexts, match donor role with correct direction and vessel: silver+milk (south) for Kṣatriya; copper+curd (west) for Vaiśya.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Charity and ritual gifting; auspicious directions and donor-classes)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two donors in a ritual setting: a Kṣatriya offers a silver pot filled with milk facing south; a Vaiśya offers a copper pot filled with curd facing west; priests indicate directions with markers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel composition with directional markers (south/west), Kṣatriya holding silver kumbha of milk, Vaiśya holding copper kumbha of curd, priest guiding, stylized compass-like mandala on floor","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted silver and copper pots, donors in traditional attire, directional deities subtly suggested, ornate borders, rich colors emphasizing auspiciousness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: labeled directions (yāmya/paścima), labeled vessels (rūpya/tāmra), contents (kṣīra/dadhi), neat ritual space with minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual donation scene, realistic metal sheen on pots, attendants and priest, architectural setting with directional banners, fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rūpyakumbhena → rūpya-kumbhena; kṣīrapūrṇena → kṣīra-pūrṇena; tāmrakumbhena → tāmra-kumbhena; paścimagena → paścima-gena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 218 (dāna-vidhi within abhiṣeka complex)
FAQs
It specifies direction-based dāna procedure: a Kṣatriya donates/ritually offers milk in a silver vessel facing/placed to the south, while a Vaiśya uses curd in a copper vessel associated with the west.
It preserves applied dharma-ritual minutiae—mapping social roles (varṇa), materials (silver/copper), substances (milk/curd), and spatial ritual logic (cardinal directions)—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage beyond mythology.
Such prescribed dāna, performed with correct substance, vessel, and direction, is treated as a purifier and merit-generator (puṇya), aligning the donor’s duty with cosmic order (dharma) through disciplined ritual conduct.