Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
दत्वा तु दक्षिणां शक्त्या स्वधाकारमुदाहरेत् वाच्यतामित्यनुज्ञातः स्वपितृभ्यः स्वधोच्यतां
datvā tu dakṣiṇāṃ śaktyā svadhākāramudāharet vācyatāmityanujñātaḥ svapitṛbhyaḥ svadhocyatāṃ
Matapos ibigay ang dakṣiṇā (handog na bayad) ayon sa kakayahan, bigkasin ang pormulang Svadhā. Kapag pinahintulutan—“bigkasin ito”—saka banggitin ang “Svadhā” na iniuukol sa sariling mga Pitṛ (ninuno).
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Conclude śrāddha by giving dakṣiṇā as able, then recite the svadhā formula upon the officiant’s permission, directing it specifically to one’s pitṛs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Svadhā-udāharaṇa after dakṣiṇā with officiant’s anuज्ञā","lookup_keywords":["dakṣiṇā","svadhā","anujñā","śrāddha","pitṛ"],"quick_summary":"After offering dakṣiṇā, recite ‘svadhā’ only when authorized, and explicitly dedicate it to one’s ancestors—marking the formal acceptance and completion of the pitṛ rite."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on right order (krama), right giving (dakṣiṇā), and sanctioned utterance (anujñā) of mantric markers like svadhā.
Application: In śrāddha, do not rush mantras; complete dakṣiṇā and obtain the officiant’s assent before svadhā-prayoga.
Khanda Section: Shraddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-kārya and ancestral offering procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest receives dakṣiṇā; the performer waits for permission, then recites ‘svadhā’ with a focused gesture toward the pitṛ offering spot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, officiant and yajamāna seated, dakṣiṇā (coins/cloth) offered respectfully, then a speech-scroll motif for ‘svadhā’, subdued sacred tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted dakṣiṇā tray, priest blessing gesture granting permission, yajamāna reciting svadhā, ornate borders and rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic emphasis on sequence: dakṣiṇā first, anuज्ञā exchange, svadhā utterance; clean composition with labeled ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interpersonal exchange: priest’s raised hand of assent, dakṣiṇā pouch, yajamāna reciting, fine facial expressions and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svadhākāramudāharet = svadhā-kāram + udāharet; vācyatāmityanujñātaḥ = vācyatām + iti + anujñātaḥ; svapitṛbhyaḥ = sva + pitṛbhyaḥ; svadhocyatāṃ = svadhā + ucyatām.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (svadhā and dakṣiṇā sequence in śrāddha-vidhi)
FAQs
It prescribes the śrāddha sequence: give dakṣiṇā as per capacity, then utter the Svadhā-formula only after the officiant’s/assembly’s permission to recite, directing it specifically to one’s Pitṛs.
It preserves precise liturgical protocol (fees, authorization to chant, and fixed exclamatory formulas like ‘Svadhā’)—a procedural detail typical of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging manual-like coverage of dharma and ritual practice.
Performing śrāddha with proper dakṣiṇā and correct Svadhā-recitation is held to ensure the offering reaches the ancestors, supporting pitṛ-satisfaction and generating merit (puṇya) for the performer through disciplined ritual correctness.