Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 56
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
वैश्ये पञ्चदश प्रोक्ताः शूद्रे त्रिंशत् प्रकीर्तिता पुत्रो वा पुत्रिकान्यो वा पिण्डं दद्याच्च पुत्रवत्
vaiśye pañcadaśa proktāḥ śūdre triṃśat prakīrtitā putro vā putrikānyo vā piṇḍaṃ dadyācca putravat
吠舍则说为十五；首陀罗则宣为三十。儿子，或由女儿所生者（即外孙），应献品荼（piṇḍa），并视同儿子。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s dominant narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Specifies piṇḍa/recipient counts for Vaiśya and Śūdra contexts and affirms the daughter’s son (putrikā-putra) as eligible to perform piṇḍa like a son.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Piṇḍa-adhikāra and saṅkhyā: Vaiśya/Śūdra; putrikā-putra equivalence","lookup_keywords":["vaiśya piṇḍa","śūdra piṇḍa","putrikā-putra","piṇḍa-dāna","śrāddha adhikāra"],"quick_summary":"Ritual counts vary by social rule (15 for Vaiśya, 30 for Śūdra in this passage), and a daughter’s son may perform piṇḍa offerings with the same standing as a son."}
Concept: Dharma prioritizes continuity of ancestral offerings; substitute eligibility (putrikā-putra) safeguards pitṛ-tarpaṇa when a son is absent.
Application: If no son is available, authorize the daughter’s son to perform piṇḍa; follow the count convention stated in the family’s prayoga aligned to this rule.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Śrāddha-vidhi (Funerary rites and ancestral offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrāddha platform with many piṇḍas arranged in larger counts; a young man identified as the daughter’s son performs offerings under elder guidance, emphasizing eligibility and continuity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, family śrāddha scene with elder instructing a youth (putrikā-putra) offering piṇḍa, rows of rice balls indicating higher counts, calm dignified expressions, traditional courtyard setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold work on offering plates, central youth offering piṇḍa with priest beside, family members behind, abundant piṇḍa arrangement suggesting 15/30 counts, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: two panels labeled Vaiśya (15) and Śūdra (30) with counted piṇḍa arrays; third panel showing putrikā-putra performing like a son, clear gestures and implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic ritual with many small piṇḍas on leaf plates, a youth performing while an elder points, fine textile patterns, subdued ceremonial palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्रिकान्यो = पुत्रिका + अन्यः; दद्याच्च = दद्यात् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (piṇḍa rules and performer eligibility)
FAQs
It specifies numerical classifications of eligible recipients/relations for piṇḍa-offerings by varṇa (Vaiśya vs Śūdra) and affirms that a son or a daughter’s son may validly perform piṇḍa-dāna with son-like status.
Beyond mythology, it preserves Dharma-śāstra-style procedural rules for śrāddha—quantified eligibility lists and kinship eligibility—showing the text’s practical coverage of social-religious law.
By authorizing proper performers of piṇḍa-dāna (including the daughter’s line), it safeguards continuity of ancestral rites, which are traditionally held to support pitṛs and generate merit (puṇya) for the family line.