Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 40
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
कृत्तिकादिभरण्यन्ते स कामानाप्नुयादिमान् वसुरुद्रादितिसुताः पितरः श्राद्धदेवताः
kṛttikādibharaṇyante sa kāmānāpnuyādimān vasurudrāditisutāḥ pitaraḥ śrāddhadevatāḥ
ตั้งแต่ฤกษ์กฤตติกาไปจนถึงภรณี ผู้ใดประกอบพิธีตามแบบแผน ย่อมได้พรอันปรารถนาเหล่านี้ วสุ รุทระ อาทิตยะ และปิตฤ—เป็นเทวะผู้เป็นประธานแห่งศราทธะ
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Maps śrāddha’s presiding deities and links rite-performance to a nakṣatra sequence (Kṛttikā to Bharaṇī), supporting timing/intent alignment in ritual planning.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śrāddha-devatā and Nakṣatra-frame (Kṛttikā–Bharaṇī)","lookup_keywords":["Kṛttikā","Bharaṇī","nakṣatra","śrāddha-devatā","Vasu Rudra Āditya"],"quick_summary":"Śrāddha is placed under a celestial/ritual taxonomy: performed in the stated nakṣatra frame it yields desired boons, and its deities are Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas along with the Pitṛs."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is coordinated with cosmic administration—nakṣatra ordering and devatā assignments—showing the purāṇic integration of jyotiṣa with karma-kāṇḍa.
Application: Use nakṣatra awareness and devatā-invocation to structure śrāddha intent (kāma) and ensure correct ritual address.
Khanda Section: Shraddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-kalpa / Ancestor rites and lunar mansion deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram-like scene showing the nakṣatra wheel from Kṛttikā to Bharaṇī, with the Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas and Pitṛs depicted as presiding deities above a śrāddha altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular nakṣatra mandala labeled Kṛttikā…Bharaṇī, stylized Vasus-Rudras-Ādityas in tiered registers, pitṛ figures receiving tarpaṇa, ochre and deep green palette, sacred geometry emphasis","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate celestial mandala with gold-leaf accents on deity crowns, Vasus/Rudras/Ādityas flanking a central śrāddha altar, pitṛs in a haloed band, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional nakṣatra wheel with clear Sanskrit labels, small vignettes of śrāddha offerings, deities shown iconically with minimal ornament, balanced composition for didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, astronomer-priest presenting a star-chart (nakṣatra sequence) beside a śrāddha gathering, deities suggested in cloud-bands above, fine detailing of instruments and manuscripts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृत्तिकादिभरण्यन्ते treated as compound locative singular; कामानाप्नुयादिमान् → कामान् आप्नुयात् इमान्; वसुरुद्रादितिसुताः → वसु-रुद्र-अदिति-सुताः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (pitṛ-kalpa and śrāddha framing); Agni Purana 164 (graha-yajña continuation of jyotiṣa-ritual integration)
FAQs
It identifies the presiding deities connected with Śrāddha (Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, and Pitṛs) and indicates a nakṣatra-sequence framework (from Kṛttikā to Bharaṇī) for correctly aligning or enumerating the rite to obtain desired results.
It exemplifies the Purana’s cataloging style—linking ritual performance (Śrāddha) with cosmological classifications (groups of deities and nakṣatra ordering), blending dharma-ritual instruction with astral/ritual taxonomy.
Correctly honoring the Śrāddha deities and Pitṛs is presented as a means to secure desired boons and to strengthen ancestral satisfaction, which traditionally supports merit (puṇya), family welfare, and continuity of dharmic obligations.