Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
अध्याय १६२ — धर्मशास्त्रकथनम्
Dharmaśāstra Exposition: Authorities, Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti, Upākarman, and Anadhyāya Rules
जलान्ते छन्दसाङ्कुर्यादुत्सर्गं विधिवद्वहिः त्र्यहं प्रेतेष्वनध्यायः शिष्यर्त्विग्गुरुबन्धुषु
jalānte chandasāṅkuryādutsargaṃ vidhivadvahiḥ tryahaṃ preteṣvanadhyāyaḥ śiṣyartviggurubandhuṣu
Am Wasserrand soll man nach Vorschrift den Utsarga (utsarga) vollziehen, die rituelle „Freigabe/Beendigung“ der vedischen Rezitation. Tritt ein Todesfall ein, so gilt für drei Tage Anadhyāya (Aussetzung des Vedastudiums) im Falle des Schülers, des zelebrierenden Priesters (ṛtvij), des Lehrers (guru) und der Verwandten.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s primary narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Governs Vedic study protocol: performing Utsarga (temporary release/suspension) at a water’s edge and observing a three-day anadhyāya after deaths among close relational categories, ensuring ritual purity and correct conduct.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Anadhyāya after death and Utsarga at the water’s edge","lookup_keywords":["anadhyāya","utsarga","jala-anta","aśauca","tri-ahna"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes performing Utsarga properly at a water boundary and mandates three days’ suspension of Vedic study upon death in specified relations (disciple, priest, teacher, kinsmen). Practical takeaway: pause recitation to maintain śāstric propriety during aśauca-related periods."}
Concept: Dharma regulates sacred speech (svādhyāya) through purity, context, and relational obligations during aśauca.
Application: Implement anadhyāya calendars in gurukulas/vedic pāṭhaśālās; formalize pause/resumption rites around bereavement events.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Anadhyaya & Śrāddha/Aśauca-related rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vedic student at a riverbank performing Utsarga—placing manuscripts aside, offering water with darbha—while a household observes a three-day mourning period in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, riverbank scene with stylized waves, student with palm-leaf texts and kuśa grass, subdued colors indicating mourning, bold outlines and flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, riverbank ritual with gold highlights on water pot and sacred thread, figures in solemn posture, ornate border, minimal background architecture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear step-by-step ritual depiction at water’s edge, labeled items (darbha, kamaṇḍalu, grantha), gentle shading and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed river landscape, scholar performing rite, mourners in a courtyard behind, delicate facial expressions and textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: chandasāṅkuryād → chandasā + kuryāt; preteṣvanadhyāyaḥ → preteṣu + anadhyāyaḥ; śiṣyartviggurubandhuṣu → śiṣya-ṛtvig-guru-bandhuṣu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana anadhyāya rules cluster (lightning, calamities, śrāddha contexts); Agni Purana śrāddha/aśauca passages where present
FAQs
It teaches anadhyāya-vidhi: how and when Vedic recitation is formally concluded (utsarga) and when study must be suspended for a fixed period due to a death-related circumstance.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical dharma regulations—procedures for Vedic practice, purity, and social-religious obligations—showing the text’s role as a compendium of applied ritual law.
Observing anadhyāya after a death maintains ritual purity and reverence for Vedic speech; it prevents transgression (doṣa) and supports orderly performance of duties during periods of mourning or impurity.