Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Dānādi-māhātmya — The Glory of Gifts, Manuscript-Donation, and Purāṇic Transmission
सारस्वतस्त कल्पस्य प्रोष्ठपद्यान्तु तद्ददेत् अष्टादशसहस्राणि हेमसिंहसमन्वितं
sārasvatasta kalpasya proṣṭhapadyāntu taddadet aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇi hemasiṃhasamanvitaṃ
Sa ritwal na Sārasvata (kalpa), sa okasyong Proṣṭhapadā, dapat ihandog iyon—labingwalong libo (yunit ng yaman)—na may kasamang anyong leon na ginto bilang kalakip na sagisag.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Calendar-tied dāna prescription: during the Sārasvata kalpa/rite at Proṣṭhapadā, donate a specified wealth-amount with an attached golden lion emblem/figure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Proṣṭhapadā Sārasvata-kalpa dāna with Hema-siṃha","lookup_keywords":["Sārasvata kalpa","Proṣṭhapadā","hema-siṃha","aṣṭādaśa-sahasra","dāna-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"On the Proṣṭhapadā occasion within the Sārasvata rite, the donor should give a fixed endowment (18,000 units) accompanied by a golden lion figure/emblem."}
Concept: Dāna is intensified by kāla (proper time) and saṃyoga (auspicious adjuncts like hema-siṃha), reflecting dharma as ordered practice.
Application: Plan charitable endowments around vrata/nakṣatra occasions; include symbolic adjuncts that signify protection, royalty, or dharmic strength.
Khanda Section: Dana-dharma (Ritual Gifts & Sacred Charity)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual charity scene on Proṣṭhapadā: donor presents a heap of coins/wealth and a small golden lion figurine as an auspicious emblem to a brāhmaṇa in a ceremonial setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: donor offering a gold lion figurine (hema-siṃha) atop a tray of coins; brāhmaṇa receiving; subtle Proṣṭhapadā lunar/asterism motif in the sky; bold outlines, warm palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central tray with gold lion rendered with heavy gold leaf; donor and brāhmaṇa with ornate jewelry; rich red background, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear depiction of the hema-siṃha object and counted wealth; minimal background with calendar notation ‘Proṣṭhapadā’; fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed goldsmith-like lion figurine, coins in neat stacks; pavilion setting with attendants; night-sky band indicating the lunar occasion; intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-ritual","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सारस्वतस्त = सारस्वतः + तत् (visarga+t→st); प्रोष्ठपद्यान्तु = प्रोष्ठपद्याम् + तु (m+t→ntu); तद्ददेत् = तत् + ददेत् (t+d→dd); अष्टादशसहस्राणि = अष्टादश-सहस्राणि; हेमसिंहसमन्वितं = हेम-सिंह-समन्वितम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana dāna sections listing dravya, kāla, and phala; Agni Purana kalpa/vṛtta references to Sārasvata observances
FAQs
It prescribes a specific dāna (charitable gift) within the Sārasvata ritual context, timed to Proṣṭhapadā, including a fixed quantity (eighteen thousand) and an accompanying golden lion emblem/figure.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s catalog-like treatment of dharma: precise calendrical timing (nakṣatra-based observance), standardized donation amounts, and specified gift-forms—practical ritual guidance alongside theology.
Such time-specific, rule-governed dāna is presented as a merit-generating act (puṇya) that supports purification and auspicious outcomes by aligning charity with sacred timing and prescribed ritual form.