Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
तैस्तु दद्यान्महाभाग ब्राह्मणानां स्वनैस् तथा ततः पुरोहितो गच्छेद्वेदिमूलन्तदेव तु
taistu dadyānmahābhāga brāhmaṇānāṃ svanais tathā tataḥ purohito gacchedvedimūlantadeva tu
ఓ మహాభాగుడా! ఆ (దక్షిణ/ఉపహార)లతో బ్రాహ్మణులకు యథావిధిగా దానం ఇవ్వాలి; అనంతరం పురోహితుడు కొలతగల అడుగులతో వేదిక మూలానికి వెళ్లాలి—ఇదే విధి.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Proper distribution of dakṣiṇā/fees to brāhmaṇas and the officiant’s prescribed movement to the vedi-mūla as part of yajña closure and transition to the next ritual act.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dakṣiṇā distribution and purohita’s approach to vedi-mūla","lookup_keywords":["dakṣiṇā","brāhmaṇa-dāna","purohita","vedi-mūla","yajña-krama"],"quick_summary":"Give the designated offerings as dakṣiṇā to brāhmaṇas, then the purohita proceeds in a measured, rule-governed manner to the base of the altar to continue the rite."}
Concept: Dāna (dakṣiṇā) completes sacrifice; disciplined bodily conduct (gati-niyama) preserves ritual purity and sequence.
Application: Ensure timely dakṣiṇā and maintain prescribed movement/approach patterns around the altar to avoid ritual faults.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajna & Dakshina Procedures / Agneya-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brāhmaṇas receiving dakṣiṇā offerings; the purohita then walks with measured steps toward the base of the sacrificial altar (vedi-mūla).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: line of brāhmaṇas receiving gifts, purohita moving toward a square vedi with sacred fire, minimal background, strong gesture language.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: dakṣiṇā scene with ornate trays, gold highlights on vessels and altar edges, symmetrical composition around the vedi.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional depiction of ‘measured steps’ toward vedi-mūla, with clear altar geometry and ritual implements neatly arranged.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: donors presenting gifts to scholars, then priest approaching the altar; detailed textiles, realistic vessels, architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तैस्तु → तैः तु; दद्यान्महाभाग → दद्यात् महाभाग; गच्छेद्वेदिमूलम् → गच्छेत् वेदिमूलम्; तदेव → तद् एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 218 (dakṣiṇā and yajña-krama passages)
FAQs
It prescribes the dakṣiṇā/gifting sequence in a yajña: first distribute the due gifts to Brāhmaṇas, then the purohita proceeds in a controlled, reverential manner to the vedimūla (altar-base) to continue the rite.
Beyond theology, it preserves operational ritual protocol—who acts (purohita), what is given (dakṣiṇā to Brāhmaṇas), and where/ how to move (toward the vedimūla with measured steps)—showing the text’s manual-like coverage of ceremonial practice.
Proper dakṣiṇā and disciplined ritual conduct are treated as merit-bearing (puṇya) and as ensuring the rite’s correctness, sustaining sacred reciprocity with priestly recipients and maintaining the sanctity of the altar-space.