Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
तैस्तु दद्यान्महाभाग ब्राह्मणानां स्वनैस् तथा ततः पुरोहितो गच्छेद्वेदिमूलन्तदेव तु
taistu dadyānmahābhāga brāhmaṇānāṃ svanais tathā tataḥ purohito gacchedvedimūlantadeva tu
اے صاحبِ نصیب! انہی (نذرانہ/دکشنہ) سے برہمنوں کو مناسب طور پر عطا کیا جائے؛ پھر پُروہت ناپے ہوئے قدموں کے ساتھ ویدی کے اصل مقام کی طرف جائے—یہی طریقہ ہے۔
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Proper distribution of dakṣiṇā/fees to brāhmaṇas and the officiant’s prescribed movement to the vedi-mūla as part of yajña closure and transition to the next ritual act.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dakṣiṇā distribution and purohita’s approach to vedi-mūla","lookup_keywords":["dakṣiṇā","brāhmaṇa-dāna","purohita","vedi-mūla","yajña-krama"],"quick_summary":"Give the designated offerings as dakṣiṇā to brāhmaṇas, then the purohita proceeds in a measured, rule-governed manner to the base of the altar to continue the rite."}
Concept: Dāna (dakṣiṇā) completes sacrifice; disciplined bodily conduct (gati-niyama) preserves ritual purity and sequence.
Application: Ensure timely dakṣiṇā and maintain prescribed movement/approach patterns around the altar to avoid ritual faults.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajna & Dakshina Procedures / Agneya-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brāhmaṇas receiving dakṣiṇā offerings; the purohita then walks with measured steps toward the base of the sacrificial altar (vedi-mūla).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: line of brāhmaṇas receiving gifts, purohita moving toward a square vedi with sacred fire, minimal background, strong gesture language.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: dakṣiṇā scene with ornate trays, gold highlights on vessels and altar edges, symmetrical composition around the vedi.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional depiction of ‘measured steps’ toward vedi-mūla, with clear altar geometry and ritual implements neatly arranged.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: donors presenting gifts to scholars, then priest approaching the altar; detailed textiles, realistic vessels, architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तैस्तु → तैः तु; दद्यान्महाभाग → दद्यात् महाभाग; गच्छेद्वेदिमूलम् → गच्छेत् वेदिमूलम्; तदेव → तद् एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 218 (dakṣiṇā and yajña-krama passages)
FAQs
It prescribes the dakṣiṇā/gifting sequence in a yajña: first distribute the due gifts to Brāhmaṇas, then the purohita proceeds in a controlled, reverential manner to the vedimūla (altar-base) to continue the rite.
Beyond theology, it preserves operational ritual protocol—who acts (purohita), what is given (dakṣiṇā to Brāhmaṇas), and where/ how to move (toward the vedimūla with measured steps)—showing the text’s manual-like coverage of ceremonial practice.
Proper dakṣiṇā and disciplined ritual conduct are treated as merit-bearing (puṇya) and as ensuring the rite’s correctness, sustaining sacred reciprocity with priestly recipients and maintaining the sanctity of the altar-space.