Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
प्रेताय तत ऊर्धवं च तस्यैव पुरुषत्रये पिण्डान् विनिर्वपेत्तद्वच्चतुरस्तु समाहितः
pretāya tata ūrdhavaṃ ca tasyaiva puruṣatraye piṇḍān vinirvapettadvaccaturastu samāhitaḥ
ต่อจากนั้น สำหรับเปรต และต่อไปสำหรับภาวะบรรพชนที่สูงกว่า พึงถวายปิณฑะโดยชอบแก่ ‘บุรุษ’ ทั้งสามนั้น (บรรพชนฝ่ายบิดาสามชั้น) และในทำนองเดียวกัน ผู้ประกอบพิธีผู้สำรวมพึงถวายปิณฑะสี่ก้อนตามแบบแผนด้วย
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s common narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Stepwise piṇḍa-offering sequence in śrāddha/preta-kriyā: offerings to preta and then to the three paternal ancestors, with an additional set of four offerings as per rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍa-viniyoga for Preta and Pitṛ-traya","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍa-dāna","preta","pitṛ-traya","śrāddha-vidhi","catur-piṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Offer piṇḍas first for the preta and then for the three paternal ancestors; additionally perform the fourfold offering in the same pattern with focused composure."}
Concept: Ṛṇa (debt) to ancestors is discharged through correctly ordered offerings and mental steadiness (samāhita).
Application: Maintain clear separation of recipients (preta vs pitṛs) and perform offerings with attention and calm to avoid ritual confusion.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Funerary rites and post-death offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder in clean attire sits facing south, arranging piṇḍas on darbha with separate placements for preta and the three paternal ancestors, then preparing an additional fourfold offering set.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, south-facing śrāddha scene, priest and yajamāna seated on mat, darbha grass, four extra piṇḍas clearly shown, minimal background, temple-lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on ritual vessels and plates, stylized yajamāna offering piṇḍas, ornate border, emphasis on sacred order of placements","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional layout showing labeled placements: preta piṇḍa and pitṛ-traya piṇḍas plus four additional piṇḍas, calm domestic ritual setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic courtyard, precise arrangement of offerings on low wooden platform, attendants holding water-pot and plates, subdued solemn mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत ऊर्धवं → ततः ऊर्ध्वम्; विनिर्वपेत् तद्वत् → विनिर्वपेत् तद्वत्; तद्वत् चतुरः तु → तद्वच्चतुरस्तु (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (Śrāddha-vidhi: piṇḍa-viniyoga and sapīṇḍīkaraṇa context)
FAQs
It prescribes the procedural sequence of piṇḍa-offerings—first to the preta, then for the ‘higher’ ancestral state—directing offerings to the pitṛ-triad (puruṣa-traya) and additionally a set of four offerings in the same manner, performed with focused composure.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical dharma-rituals; here it records a precise śrāddha/preta-kriyā step (recipient sets and offering order), exemplifying its handbook-like coverage of rites alongside other sciences and disciplines.
Correct piṇḍa-dāna is held to support the departed’s transition from preta-condition toward pitṛ-status, satisfying ancestors and generating merit (puṇya) for the performer through fulfillment of pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors).