Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 29
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
दत्वा दानानि विप्रेभ्यो दीनानाथेभ्य एव सः मातृभिश् चैव विप्राद्यैः शोकार्तैर् निर्गतः पुरात्
datvā dānāni viprebhyo dīnānāthebhya eva saḥ mātṛbhiś caiva viprādyaiḥ śokārtair nirgataḥ purāt
他施赠财物于婆罗门，亦及贫困无依者；随后在诸母与婆罗门等人——皆为哀痛所迫——的随送之下，离开了城邑。
Lord Agni (narrating to Vashistha, Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Dana-dharma as social stabilization: giving to Brahmins and the vulnerable before departure; models redistribution and merit-making during political transition.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dana before departure: gifts to Brahmins and the destitute","lookup_keywords":["dana","vipra","dina-anatha","punya","nishkramana"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a practical dharmic act: distribute gifts to Brahmins and to the poor/unprotected before leaving—supporting social welfare and accruing religious merit amid upheaval."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/Anuprasa (soft repetition in phrasing, if recited)
Concept: Dana as purifying duty: supporting learned and vulnerable persons, especially at liminal moments (departure, crisis).
Application: Before major transitions, allocate resources for dependents and the needy; institutionalize charity to reduce social distress.
Khanda Section: Dana-dharma (Charity and merit-making conduct)
Primary Rasa: Karuna
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama (or the departing prince) distributes gifts to Brahmins and to the poor; grieving mothers and Brahmins accompany him as he exits the city gates.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, city gate of Ayodhya, figures offering cloth/coins/food to seated Brahmins and needy people, mothers weeping, procession moving outward, rhythmic composition with lamps and banners, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted donation scene, Brahmins receiving gifts with palm-leaf manuscripts, poor and unprotected at the edge, procession with chariot hinted, ornate borders and embossed gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic charity tableau: donor figure handing gifts, recipients in clear groups (vipra, dina-anatha), accompanying mourners, fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling street near city gate, detailed crowd: Brahmins, poor, attendants with gift trays, mothers in sorrow, architectural skyline, naturalistic faces and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दीनानाथेभ्यः = दीन + अनाथेभ्यः (द्वन्द्वार्थ). मातृभिश् चैव = मातृभिः + च + एव. शोकार्तैर् = शोकार्तैः + (रेफ् sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dana-dharma sections (general); Agni Purana 6.28 (departure sequence)
FAQs
It conveys dana-dharma as practical conduct: giving charitable gifts specifically to Brahmins and to dīna–anātha (the destitute and unprotected) as a righteous preparatory act before a major life transition (departure).
Alongside ritual and doctrinal material, the Agni Purana preserves social-ethical guidance—who should receive gifts and why—showing its breadth as a compendium that includes lived dharma, welfare obligations, and narrative-based moral instruction.
Charity to worthy recipients and to the vulnerable is presented as merit-generating (puṇya), reducing karmic burden and sanctifying one’s actions—especially when undertaken amid sorrow or impending separation.