Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 23
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
अथवा द्वादशाहेन सर्वमेतत् समापयेत् संवत्सरस्य मध्ये च यदि स्यादधिमासकः
athavā dvādaśāhena sarvametat samāpayet saṃvatsarasya madhye ca yadi syādadhimāsakaḥ
أو يمكن إتمامُ هذا كلِّه في اثني عشر يومًا؛ وتَسري هذه القاعدةُ أيضًا وإن وقع في وسط السنة شهرٌ كبيس (adhimāsa).
Lord Agni (in discourse, traditionally to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Providing an alternative completion schedule—finishing the observance within twelve days—ensuring continuity even when adhimāsa occurs within the year.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśāha alternative completion despite Adhimāsa","lookup_keywords":["dvadasaha","vrata-completion","adhimasa-exception","kalpa-rule","twelve-days"],"quick_summary":"A condensed twelve-day completion is permitted as an alternative, and the rule remains valid even if an intercalary month occurs during the year."}
Concept: Anukalpa (authorized alternative) to preserve vrata integrity when extended timing becomes difficult.
Application: Adopt the dvādaśāha option when constraints or calendrical complications arise, while keeping the rite complete and rule-compliant.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Vrata-kalpa (Ritual observances and calendrical adjustments)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A twelve-day vrata sequence depicted as a compact cycle; a lunar calendar shows an extra month, yet the practitioner completes the observance within twelve days.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, twelve small vignettes around a central altar representing each day’s rite, a moon-calendar motif with an added segment for adhimāsa, priest calmly concluding the cycle","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, circular composition with twelve day-panels in gold-bordered medallions, central deity/altar, lunar disc showing intercalary month, celebratory completion posture","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional storyboard of 12 steps/days, clear numbering, side panel showing adhimāsa note, neat ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, album-page layout with twelve small scenes of daily observance, marginal calendar annotation indicating adhimāsa, refined detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sarvametat = sarvam + etat; syādadhimāsakaḥ = syāt + adhimāsakaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157: preceding rule on adhimāsa increase (157.22) and subsequent śrāddha timing (157.24)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for completing the prescribed rite/vow: it may be concluded within a fixed twelve-day period, and the timing is not बाधित (invalidated) by the occurrence of an intercalary month (adhimāsa).
It integrates ritual procedure (vrata/pujā-vidhi) with calendrical science (adhimāsa, saṃvatsara), showing how the text functions as a manual that bridges religious practice and time-reckoning conventions.
By prescribing a clear completion rule despite calendar irregularities, it safeguards continuity and correctness of observance, ensuring the intended पुण्य (merit) of the rite is attained without procedural doubt.