Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
अकार्पण्यास्पृहाशौचं यस्यैते स परं व्रजेत् प्रचारे मैथुने चैव प्रस्रावे दन्तधावने
akārpaṇyāspṛhāśaucaṃ yasyaite sa paraṃ vrajet pracāre maithune caiva prasrāve dantadhāvane
Wer diese Eigenschaften besitzt — frei von Geiz, ohne Begierde und in Reinheit — gelangt zum höchsten Ziel. (Diese Vorschriften sind zu beachten) beim Umhergehen, beim Geschlechtsverkehr, beim Wasserlassen und beim Reinigen der Zähne.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Apply purity-and-conduct rules (śauca/ācāra) governing movement, sexual conduct, urination, and dental cleaning; cultivate non-miserliness and non-craving as prerequisites for higher attainment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ācāra-śauca in daily acts (gati, maithuna, prasrāva, dantadhāvana) and qualifying virtues","lookup_keywords":["Shauca","Akarpanya","Asprha","Maithuna-niyama","Dantadhavana"],"quick_summary":"States that freedom from miserliness, absence of craving, and purity lead to the supreme goal, and signals specific domains where detailed conduct rules apply: movement, sex, urination, and tooth-cleaning."}
Concept: Śauca and inner renunciation (aspr̥hā) as gateways to paramagati; dharma expressed in minute daily acts.
Application: Adopt a daily śauca routine: mindful conduct in public movement, regulated sexuality, cleanliness after excretion, and consistent dental care; practice generosity and reduce craving.
Khanda Section: Dharma-Śāstra / Ācāra-vidhi (Rules of conduct and purity)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder’s daily routine shown in sequence: walking with restraint in a village path, modest marital conduct implied symbolically, washing after urination at a water pot, and cleaning teeth with a twig near a courtyard—emphasizing purity and simplicity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential narrative panels of daily ācāra: restrained walking, water-pot cleansing, dantadhāvana with twig, minimalistic domestic setting, warm ochres and greens, decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure embodying śauca with gold-highlighted water vessel and clean white garments, small side vignettes of dantadhāvana and ablution, ornate but disciplined composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional storyboard: four labeled panels (pracāra, maithuna, prasrāva, dantadhāvana), clear linework, soft colors, emphasis on correct posture and implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic courtyard with detailed textiles and utensils, figure performing ablution and tooth-cleaning, subtle symbolic depiction of restraint, fine architectural detailing and floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अकार्पण्यम्+अस्पृहा+शौचम् → अकार्पण्यास्पृहाशौचम्; च+एव → चैव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (ācāra-vidhi subsections on śauca and daily rules)
FAQs
It teaches āgamic/dharmic ā-śauca and ā-cāra discipline: cultivating non-miserliness, non-craving, and purity, applied to sensitive daily acts like movement, sex, urination, and tooth-cleaning.
It shows the text’s coverage beyond mythology—down to practical ethics and hygiene—integrating inner virtues (aspṛhā) with outward conduct (śauca) in everyday life-regulation.
By aligning inner restraint and outward cleanliness in ordinary bodily activities, one avoids impurity-born demerit and supports sattva, which the verse links to reaching the supreme spiritual goal.