Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 35
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
न च शूद्रं द्विजेनापि तयोर्दोषो हि जायते अनाथविप्रप्रेतस्य वहनात् स्वरगलोकभाक्
na ca śūdraṃ dvijenāpi tayordoṣo hi jāyate anāthaviprapretasya vahanāt svaragalokabhāk
ولا ينبغي حتى للثاني الولادة (الدِّفِجَ) أن يتجنّب الشودرَة، إذ لا ينشأ ذنبٌ على أيٍّ منهما. ومن حمل جثمان براهمنٍ متوفّى لا حاميَ له نال نصيبًا من العوالم السماوية.
Lord Agni (narrating dharma and rites to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for conduct during funerary assistance: social interaction rules (non-avoidance) and merit of helping in an unprotected Brahmin’s cremation logistics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Anātha-brāhmaṇa-preta-vahana: merit and non-fault with Śūdra contact","lookup_keywords":["anatha","preta-vahana","shudra-sparsha","dvija","svarga-phala"],"quick_summary":"During funerary exigencies, a twice-born should not shun a Śūdra; no mutual fault arises. Carrying the body of an unprotected deceased Brāhmaṇa yields heavenly merit."}
Concept: Apaddharma in funerary service: compassionate duty overrides avoidance; intention and service remove fault and generate puṇya.
Application: Assist in last rites for the unprotected without discrimination; prioritize completion of necessary rites.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Antyeṣṭi-vidhi (Funeral rites and merit of charitable services)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A funeral procession where a twice-born man and a Śūdra together carry the bier of an unprotected deceased Brāhmaṇa toward the cremation ground, emphasizing service and non-avoidance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, solemn antyeṣṭi procession, bier carried by mixed-caste helpers, sacred thread visible, cremation ground with trees and riverbank, calm shanta mood, traditional ornamented borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, dignified funeral service scene, bier with white cloth, attendants in traditional dhoti, subtle halo-like gold around the idea of dharma/puṇya, minimal background, iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional depiction of proper conduct: dvija not avoiding śūdra, carrying the body respectfully, labels implied by gestures, muted palette, emphasis on ritual propriety","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed procession with attendants, landscape of śmaśāna outskirts, expressive faces showing compassion, careful textiles, balanced composition, subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvijenāpi = dvijena api; tayordoṣo = tayoḥ doṣaḥ; anāthaviprapretasya = anātha-vipra-pretasya (tatpuruṣa); svaragalokabhāk = svarga-loka-bhāk.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (Antyeṣṭi/Śrāddha context)
FAQs
It teaches an antyeṣṭi (funerary) rule: assisting in the transport of an unprotected deceased Brāhmaṇa is not a source of ritual fault (doṣa) even when a Śūdra is involved; the act is meritorious.
Alongside theology and praise, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma guidance—here, a specific social-ritual protocol for funeral logistics and purity—showing its coverage of lived religious law and community duties.
The verse frames compassionate public service in funerary contexts as puṇya-producing: carrying the body of an abandoned (anātha) deceased Brāhmaṇa leads to svarga, while also removing fear of impurity-based blame.