Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 20
Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva Offering, and Bali (देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः)
सोमाय सोमपुरुषेभ्य उदग्दद्यादनन्तरं ब्रह्मणे ब्रह्मपुरुषेभ्यो मध्ये दद्यात्तथैव च
somāya somapuruṣebhya udagdadyādanantaraṃ brahmaṇe brahmapuruṣebhyo madhye dadyāttathaiva ca
اس کے بعد شمال کی طرف سوم اور سوم کے ساتھیوں کو، اور درمیان میں برہما اور برہما کے ساتھیوں کو اسی طرح نذرانہ دینا چاہیے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction-mode, narrating ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Directional and central offerings: north-facing offering to Soma and attendants, then to Brahmā and attendants, with a central placement—used in śrāddha/pitṛ-kriyā sequences to complete the mandala of appeasement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"North to Soma; center to Brahmā (with attendant hosts)","lookup_keywords":["soma-uttara","brahmā-madhya","dik-bali","soma-puruṣa","brahma-puruṣa"],"quick_summary":"Offer facing north to Soma and his beings, then to Brahmā and his beings, placing the offering in the middle—completing a directional-cum-central ritual grid."}
Concept: Mandala logic: ritual space mirrors cosmic administration—lunar nourishment (Soma) and creative order (Brahmā) integrated through direction and center.
Application: In śrāddha adjunct offerings, ensure correct facing (north) and central placement to ‘seal’ the rite with auspicious stabilizing forces.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Pitṛ-kriyā and post-funeral/ancestral offering procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Directional (dik) and central (madhya) context
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A performer turns to the north to offer to Soma and attendant beings, then places an offering to Brahmā and attendants at the center of the ritual ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Soma depicted cool and luminous with crescent and nectar motifs at the north edge; Brahmā four-faced at the center with attendants; the ritualist oriented northward; calm, balanced composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Soma with silver-blue tones and gold halo on the north side; Brahmā richly ornamented at the center with gold embossing; offerings arranged symmetrically; auspicious domestic-ritual setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear compass and central square; step 1 ‘uttara—Soma’, step 2 ‘madhya—Brahmā’; minimalistic deity emblems; pedagogical clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: geometric ritual carpet/ground with central medallion for Brahmā; Soma in a moonlit cloud band aligned to the north; the officiant’s posture shows turning north; fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उदग्दद्यादनन्तरं = उदक् दद्यात् अनन्तरम्; तथैव = तथा एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 263.19 (south/west offerings); Agni Purana 263.17–263.21 (full bali schema)
FAQs
It specifies the sequencing and orientation of offerings in śrāddha: offer facing north to Soma and his associated beings, then to Brahmā and his associated beings, and place a designated offering centrally (madhye) according to the rite’s layout.
It functions as a procedural rule within a larger ritual handbook section, showing how the Agni Purana preserves precise liturgical details—directionality (udak), recipient-classes (Soma/Brahmā and their gaṇas), and placement (madhye)—alongside its many other domains (dharma, polity, medicine, arts).
Correct recipient-allocation, direction, and placement are treated as essential for the offering to reach the intended divine channels, thereby supporting ancestral satisfaction (pitṛ-tṛpti) and accruing merit (puṇya) through properly ordered śrāddha.