Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
सर्वमन्नमुपादाय सतिलं दक्षिणामुखः उच्छिष्टसन्निधौ पिण्डान् प्रदद्यात् पितृयज्ञवत्
sarvamannamupādāya satilaṃ dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ ucchiṣṭasannidhau piṇḍān pradadyāt pitṛyajñavat
将所备之食尽取并加芝麻，面向南方，于餐余残迹近旁依祖先祭（pitṛ-yajña）之法供献饭团（piṇḍa）。
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Śrāddha procedure: prepare food with tila, face south, and offer piṇḍas near the ucchiṣṭa/remaining meal area following pitṛ-yajña protocol.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍa-pradāna with tila facing south (pitṛ-yajña manner)","lookup_keywords":["śrāddha","piṇḍa","tila","dakṣiṇāmukha","pitṛ-yajña"],"quick_summary":"Collect the prepared food with sesame, sit facing south, and offer piṇḍas near the meal-remains as prescribed for pitṛ-yajña."}
Concept: Pitṛ-ṛṇa (debt to ancestors) is repaid through correctly oriented, correctly substanced offerings (tila, piṇḍa) and prescribed conduct.
Application: During śrāddha, maintain south-facing orientation and proper materials (tila, anna) to align the rite with pitṛ-loka conventions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrāddha / Pitṛ-yajña rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A śrāddha setting: cooked food with sesame, the performer seated facing south, forming and placing piṇḍas near the remains of the meal/offerings area.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, ritual scene with performer facing south (direction indicated by symbolic sun-path motifs), banana-leaf offerings, black sesame visible, piṇḍas placed on darbha/ground near remnants, restrained sacred palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate brass vessels, gold highlights on offering plates, performer seated south-facing, piṇḍas arranged in a neat row, subtle depiction of pitṛs as faint ancestral silhouettes in the background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: south direction marked, bowl of tila-mixed rice, hands shaping piṇḍas, placement near ucchiṣṭa area, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard śrāddha with detailed textiles, sesame grains rendered as tiny dots, performer facing a marked southern edge, attendants holding vessels, meticulous food depiction."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sarvamannamupādāya = sarvam + annam + upādāya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (śrāddha/pitṛ-yajña subsections)
FAQs
It prescribes the practical method of piṇḍa-offering in Śrāddha: gather the full food portion with sesame, face south, and offer the piṇḍas near the remnants, following pitṛ-yajña protocol.
Alongside theology and narratives, the Agni Purana functions as a ritual handbook; this verse is a concise procedural rule for ancestral rites (Śrāddha/pitṛ-yajña), showing its coverage of applied dharma and domestic liturgy.
Correctly performed piṇḍa offerings are traditionally held to nourish and satisfy the Pitṛs, supporting familial continuity and yielding merit (puṇya) through honoring ancestral obligations.