Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
प्रोक्षणात् संहतानान्तु द्रवाणाञ्च तथोत्प्लवात् शयनासनयानानां शूर्पस्य शकटस्य च
prokṣaṇāt saṃhatānāntu dravāṇāñca tathotplavāt śayanāsanayānānāṃ śūrpasya śakaṭasya ca
For substances that are compacted or aggregated, purification is by sprinkling consecrated water; for liquids likewise, by causing the water to overflow and cover them. The same purificatory procedure applies to beds, seats, vehicles, winnowing-baskets, and carts.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual purification (śauca) of different classes of objects—solids, liquids, and household conveyances—before pūjā, homa, or consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śauca by Prokṣaṇa and Utplavana for Solids, Liquids, and Implements","lookup_keywords":["prokṣaṇa","utplavana","śauca","śayana-āsana-yāna","śūrpa-śakaṭa"],"quick_summary":"Compacted/solid aggregates are purified by sprinkling; liquids by making the purifying water overflow across them. The same rule extends to beds, seats, vehicles, winnowing baskets, and carts."}
Concept: Śauca as a rule-governed transformation of ritual status (from aśuddha to śuddha) through appropriate contact with sanctified water.
Application: Before worship or handling sacred items, apply the correct purification mode based on the object’s physical state (solid vs liquid) and use-case (household implements).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shaucha-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Consecration Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist sprinkles consecrated water over piled grains/compacted substances and causes water to overflow a vessel of liquid; nearby are a bed, seat, cart, and winnowing basket awaiting purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest with kamaṇḍalu and kuśa, sprinkling water over heaps of grain and household items (bed, seat, cart, winnowing basket), flat warm palette, bold outlines, sacred domestic courtyard.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central priest figure with gold-embellished vessels of holy water, stylized bed and cart, ornate borders, rich reds and greens, gold leaf highlights on water pot and ritual implements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional composition showing two panels: prokṣaṇa on solids and utplavana on liquids, delicate lines, muted colors, labeled objects (śayana, āsana, yāna, śūrpa, śakaṭa).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic scene with attendants holding items, priest sprinkling water, fine architectural courtyard, naturalistic objects, subtle shading, calligraphic caption space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संहतानान्तु = संहतानाम् + तु; द्रवाणाञ्च = द्रवाणाम् + च; तथोत्प्लवात् = तथा + उत्प्लवात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (Śauca-vidhi context: prokṣaṇa rules)
FAQs
It specifies object-wise purification methods: solid/compacted items are purified by prokṣaṇa (sprinkling sanctified water), while liquids are purified by utplava (making purifying water overflow so it fully covers/mingles).
It functions like a practical ritual manual, cataloging purification techniques across categories (solids, liquids, household and transport items), showing the Agni Purana’s broad coverage of applied dharma and temple/household procedures.
Correct shuddhi removes ritual impurity (aśauca/mala) from objects used in worship and daily rites, supporting purity of action and intention, and thereby maintaining the efficacy (phala) of religious observances.