Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
कृत्वोदकन्तु यद्द्रव्यं शौचितं शौचनन्तु तत् तेषामभावे शौचन्तु मृगदर्पाम्भसा भवेत्
kṛtvodakantu yaddravyaṃ śaucitaṃ śaucanantu tat teṣāmabhāve śaucantu mṛgadarpāmbhasā bhavet
যে দ্রব্য জলপ্রয়োগে শুদ্ধ হয়, সেটিই শৌচন (শুদ্ধির উপায়) বলে স্মৃত। সেগুলির অভাবে মৃগদর্প-মিশ্রিত জলে শৌচ হয়।
Lord Agni (teaching the dharma and procedural rules of purification)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Rules for purification: water as primary cleanser; contingency method using water with deer-musk when standard agents are unavailable.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śauca-sādhana — Jalena śuddhi; Abhāve Mṛga-darpa-ambhas","lookup_keywords":["śauca","śuddhi","jala","mṛga-darpa","cleansing agent"],"quick_summary":"Water is the principal purifier; when customary cleansing substances are lacking, water mixed with deer-musk is permitted as a means to attain purity."}
Concept: Śauca is maintained by principle (water as purifier) with compassionate allowance (āpaddharma-style substitution) when resources are absent.
Application: Maintain hygiene and ritual eligibility by using the best available purifier; follow the hierarchy of cleansing means rather than abandoning śauca.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Shauca-vidhi (Rules of Purification and Cleanliness)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs purification by washing with water; beside him a small vial of deer-musk is mixed into water as an emergency cleansing substitute.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple tank and washing scene, attendant holding small musk container, clear gesture of mixing into water, calm disciplined expressions, minimal background clutter","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted water pot (kalaśa) and ladle, figure performing ācamana/cleansing, ornate border, sanctified domestic shrine corner","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout showing two options: standard water cleansing and alternative musk-water, labeled vessels, clean lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ewer and basin, fine depiction of musk vial, courtyard setting, emphasis on material culture and cleanliness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛtvodakantu = kṛtvā + udakam + tu. yaddravyaṃ = yat + dravyam. teṣāmabhāve = teṣām + abhāve. mṛgadarpāmbhasā = mṛga-darpa-ambhasā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Śauca-vidhi context; gandha as purifier)
FAQs
It specifies a shauca (purification) rule: water is the primary cleansing medium for substances, and when standard purifiers are unavailable, water infused with deer-musk (mṛga-darpa) can serve as an alternative purifier.
By recording practical dharma-vidhi details—down to substitute cleansing materials—it functions like a procedural manual alongside the Purana’s broader coverage of ritual, law, and applied religious practice.
Maintaining shauca safeguards the validity of worship and rites; following prescribed (or permitted substitute) purification methods supports ritual correctness and reduces impurity-related obstacles in religious observances.