Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
अन्यगोत्रोप्यसम्बद्धः प्रेतस्याग्निन्ददाति यः पिण्डञ्चोदकदानञ्च स दशाहं समापयेत्
anyagotropyasambaddhaḥ pretasyāgnindadāti yaḥ piṇḍañcodakadānañca sa daśāhaṃ samāpayet
แม้เป็นคนต่างโคตรและไม่เกี่ยวดอง หากเป็นผู้จัดให้มีไฟฌาปนกิจแก่ผู้ตาย และถวายปิณฑะกับการให้น้ำอุทกทาน ก็ย่อมประกอบพิธีสิบวัน (ทศาหะ) ให้สำเร็จได้โดยชอบ
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure within the Agni Purana’s instruction to a sage-tradition audience, commonly framed as Agni’s discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for funerary exigencies: even a non-relative (different gotra) may lawfully perform key preta-kriyā acts—providing fire, piṇḍa and water offerings—and complete the ten-day rites when relatives are absent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Eligibility to complete daśāha rites by a non-relative","lookup_keywords":["daśāha","preta-kriyā","anyagotrin","piṇḍa-dāna","udaka-dāna"],"quick_summary":"If a person—even from another lineage and unrelated—undertakes the cremation fire and performs piṇḍa and water libations, he is authorized to complete the ten-day funerary observances."}
Concept: Saṃskāra-dharma prioritizes completion of essential rites over lineage barriers in cases of necessity.
Application: Community responsibility: ensure cremation and preta-rites are not neglected when kin are unavailable.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha and Antyeṣṭi-vidhi (Funerary rites, preta-kriyā, daśāha observances)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cremation-ground rite: an unrelated but dutiful person kindles the funeral fire, then offers rice-balls and water libations over ten days, with minimal ritual implements and solemn witnesses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, cremation ghat with stylized flames, performer in simple attire offering piṇḍa on darbha, water pot in hand, subdued palette, sacred solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, symbolic antyeṣṭi scene with gold-highlighted fire altar, performer offering piṇḍa and udaka, framed by ornamental pillars, reverent composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: panels for agni-dāna, piṇḍa-dāna, udaka-dāna, and daśāha completion, fine linework and labels of ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, riverside cremation scene with attendants, detailed vessels and textiles, performer pouring water libation, smoke and landscape rendered delicately."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अन्यगोत्रोप्यसम्बद्धः → अन्यगोत्रः + अपि + असम्बद्धः; प्रेतस्याग्निन्ददाति → प्रेतस्य + अग्निम् + ददाति; पिण्डञ्चोदकदानञ्च → पिण्डम् + च + उदकदानम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (Śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-vidhi subsections)
FAQs
It states the rule of ritual eligibility: even a non-relative from another gotra may perform essential preta-kriyā—providing the funeral fire, offering piṇḍa, and giving water-libations—and thereby complete the daśāha rites.
Beyond theology, it codifies practical dharma for real-world contingencies (absence of kin), preserving procedural guidance for funerary ritual, social duty, and continuity of śrāddha observances.
Ensuring cremation-fire and post-death offerings are performed supports the departed’s onward journey and reduces ritual deficiency (doṣa) when relatives are unavailable, transferring a meritorious duty to a qualified helper.