Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 19
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
दातारो नो ऽभिवर्धन्तां वेदाः सन्ततिरेव च श्रद्धा च नो माव्यगमद्बहुदेयं च नो स्त्विति
dātāro no 'bhivardhantāṃ vedāḥ santatireva ca śraddhā ca no māvyagamadbahudeyaṃ ca no stviti
Nguyện các bậc thí chủ của chúng ta ngày càng tăng trưởng; nguyện Veda (thánh học) và dòng dõi con cháu của chúng ta cũng hưng thịnh. Nguyện đức tin không bao giờ rời bỏ chúng ta, và nguyện luôn có nhiều của cải để bố thí—đó là lời cầu nguyện nên khởi lên.
Lord Agni (narrating the dharma teaching to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dana-dharma","practical_application":"Use as a closing/ancillary prayer (āśīrvāda) to cultivate generosity, sustain śraddhā, and frame charity as a continuing household discipline.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Dāna-āśīrvāda (Prayer for benefactors, Veda, progeny, faith, and abundance to give)","lookup_keywords":["dāna","āśīrvāda","śraddhā","bahudeya","santati"],"quick_summary":"A benedictory prayer aligning charity with four supports of dharma—supporters (dātāraḥ), sacred learning (veda), lineage (santati), and faith (śraddhā)—and asking for ongoing capacity to give."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (soft repetition) / Āśīḥ (benedictive mode)
Concept: Dāna is sustained by śraddhā and supported by learning and lineage; prosperity is meaningful when it increases giving (bahu-deya).
Application: Adopt a household vow of regular giving; treat wealth as a trust for dharmic distribution and education-support.
Khanda Section: Dana-dharma (Charity & Benedictions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: hita
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder-priest recites a benediction after charity, with donors and recipients present; Vedic manuscripts, a family, and vessels of gifts symbolize learning, progeny, faith, and abundance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a gṛhastha in white dhoti with sacred thread chanting an āśīrvāda, palm-leaf manuscripts and offering vessels, serene faces, flat decorative background, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated gṛhastha donor offering gifts to a brāhmaṇa, gold-leaf halos and ornate arch, symbolic Veda manuscripts and grain pots, rich reds and greens, devotional yet domestic setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional tableau of dāna: donor, recipient, labeled objects (veda-pustaka, anna-pātra), calm composition, muted pastels with delicate detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet pious charity scene in a veranda, detailed textiles and vessels, a scribe holding manuscripts, family members behind, subtle expressions, precise architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"benedictive","suggested_raga":"Madhyamāvati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नो ऽभिवर्धन्ताम् = नः + अभिवर्धन्ताम्; सन्ततिरेव = सन्ततिः + एव; माव्यगमत् = मा + व्यगमत्; बहुदेयं = बहु + देयम्; स्त्विति = अस्तु + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dana-dharma sections (gifts, merits, and benedictions); Agni Purana: Śrāddha/Pitṛ-kriyā procedural chapters (for closing prayers)
FAQs
It gives a compact āśīrvāda (benedictory prayer) aligned with dāna-dharma: pray for the increase of donors, continuity of Vedic learning, steadfast śraddhā, and the capacity to give abundantly.
Alongside diverse subjects, the Agni Purana also systematizes social-religious practice; this verse encapsulates the ethical-economy of dāna—supporting Vedic study, family continuity, and communal prosperity through sustained giving.
It frames charity as a self-reinforcing source of punya: faith is preserved, worthy givers multiply, and one gains the karmic capacity (resources and disposition) to continue giving.