Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
मुखवर्जञ्च गौः शुद्धा शुद्धमश्वाजयोर्मुखं नारीणाञ्चैव वत्सानां शकुनीनां शुनो मुखं
mukhavarjañca gauḥ śuddhā śuddhamaśvājayormukhaṃ nārīṇāñcaiva vatsānāṃ śakunīnāṃ śuno mukhaṃ
A cow is deemed pure, except for its mouth. The mouth of a horse or an elephant is also regarded as pure; likewise, the mouth of women, calves, birds, and dogs is regarded as pure.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Rules for assessing purity/impurity in relation to contact with mouths of various beings—relevant to food, vessels, and social/ritual conduct.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mouth-Purity Rules for Cow, Horse/Elephant, Women, Calves, Birds, and Dogs","lookup_keywords":["mukha-śuddhi","go-mukha","aśva-gaja","strī","śva-śakuni"],"quick_summary":"The verse classifies which beings’ mouths are considered pure/impure for śauca determinations: cow is pure except its mouth; horse/elephant mouths are treated as pure; similarly for women, calves, birds, and dogs."}
Concept: Śauca is context-sensitive and encoded through classifications of contact (especially saliva/contact with mouth) affecting ritual status.
Application: In food-handling and ritual settings, apply mouth-contact rules to decide whether an item requires purification or is acceptable as-is.
Khanda Section: Dharmashastra / Shaucha (Purity rules and ritual cleanliness)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic tableau showing a cow with emphasis on the mouth as exception, alongside a horse and elephant; nearby are a woman, a calf, birds, and a dog—arranged as a classification chart for purity rules.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic lineup of cow (mouth highlighted), horse, elephant, woman, calf, birds, dog; priest gesturing as if teaching śauca rules, bold outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, icon-like arrangement of the animals and figures with gold accents, cow central with subtle emphasis on mouth, ornamental border, didactic devotional aesthetic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart composition with neatly separated figures and captions, soft colors, fine detailing of mouths to indicate the rule focus.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly didactic scene with animals in a garden, scholar pointing to each, fine naturalistic rendering and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मुखवर्जञ्च = मुखवर्जम् + च; शुद्धमश्वाजयोर्मुखं = शुद्धम् + अश्वाजयोः + मुखम्; नारीणाञ्चैव = नारीणाम् + च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (śauca classifications of beings and substances)
FAQs
It specifies śauca (ritual cleanliness) classifications—what is considered inherently pure or impure in relation to the mouths of certain animals and beings, guiding decisions about contact, leftovers, and contamination in domestic and ritual settings.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana preserves practical Dharmashastra-style norms for everyday life—detailed purity rules that function like a manual for householders and ritual practitioners.
Observing purity rules is treated as supportive of dharma: it helps prevent ritual fault (doṣa), maintains sanctity in worship and food practices, and is believed to sustain merit (puṇya) through disciplined conduct.