Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
सम्पूज्य दत्वा पृथिवी समाना इति चाप्यथ धनेषु चेति क , ख , घ , ङ , छ , ज , ञ च योजयेत् प्रेतपिण्डं तु पिण्डेष्वन्येषु भार्गव
sampūjya datvā pṛthivī samānā iti cāpyatha dhaneṣu ceti ka , kha , gha , ṅa , cha , ja , ña ca yojayet pretapiṇḍaṃ tu piṇḍeṣvanyeṣu bhārgava
Sau khi đã kính lễ đầy đủ và dâng cúng xong, tụng các thần chú “pṛthivī samānā” và cả “dhaneṣu”, rồi, hỡi Bhārgava, hãy đặt preta-piṇḍa (piṇḍa dành cho vong linh) vào giữa các piṇḍa khác, phân định theo các nhóm chữ cái đã nêu (ka, kha, gha, ṅa, cha, ja, ña).
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Bhārgava)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Mantra-linked placement of the preta-piṇḍa among other piṇḍas, with specified recitations and a rule of assignment/ordering (varṇa/akṣara-gaṇa based).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mantra-recitation and Akṣara-gaṇa assignment for Preta-piṇḍa","lookup_keywords":["pṛthivī samānā","dhaneṣu","preta-piṇḍa","akṣara-gaṇa","piṇḍa-viniyoga"],"quick_summary":"After worship and offering, recite the specified mantras and then place the preta-piṇḍa among the other piṇḍas according to the prescribed letter-group assignment."}
Concept: Mantra and correct viniyoga (application/placement) together ‘complete’ the rite; sound and action must correspond.
Application: Do not merely recite—synchronize mantra with the exact placement of the preta-piṇḍa and keep the ordering rule consistent throughout the ritual.
Khanda Section: Śrāddha-vidhi (Preta-kriyā and Piṇḍa-dāna rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist completes pūjā, then recites mantras while moving a distinct preta-piṇḍa into a row of other piṇḍas; a palm-leaf note shows akṣara-groups (ka, kha, gha, ṅa, cha, ja, ña) guiding placement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with raised right hand in recitation gesture, visible syllable-groups on a stylized palm-leaf, piṇḍas arranged in neat sequence on darbha, lamp-lit sanctity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold highlights on offering plates, mantra-recitation posture, decorative script panel showing ‘pṛthivī samānā’ and ‘dhaneṣu’, central focus on the distinct preta-piṇḍa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled piṇḍa positions and akṣara-gaṇa list, calm instructional composition, fine detailing of ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest reading from manuscript while assistant places the preta-piṇḍa among others, intricate textiles and utensils, emphasis on orderly sequence"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाप्यथ → च अपि अथ; चेति → च इति; पिण्डेष्वन्येषु → पिण्डेषु अन्येषु (स्वर-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (mantra usage in śrāddha; placement rules for piṇḍas)
FAQs
It specifies the operational step in śrāddha: after worship and mantra-recitation, the practitioner must correctly place/assign the preta-piṇḍa among the set of piṇḍas, following a letter-group (varṇa) based rule (ka, kha, gha, ṅa, cha, ja, ña).
Beyond theology, it preserves precise procedural ritual technology—mantra cues, sequencing, and classification rules for offerings—showing the Purana’s handbook-like coverage of dharma, samskāras, and applied liturgy.
Correctly offering and positioning the preta-piṇḍa is held to aid the departed’s onward transition and to secure ritual completeness (śrāddha-sampatti), generating merit (puṇya) and mitigating impediments for both the deceased and the performer.