Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 5
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
षड्रात्रेण त्रिरात्रेण षड्भिः शूद्रे तथा विशः आदन्तजननात् सद्य आचूडान्नैशिकी श्रुतिः
ṣaḍrātreṇa trirātreṇa ṣaḍbhiḥ śūdre tathā viśaḥ ādantajananāt sadya ācūḍānnaiśikī śrutiḥ
For a Śūdra, the prescribed period is six nights; likewise for a Vaiśya, three nights. From the moment the teeth appear, one should immediately undertake the instruction called “naiśikī śruti,” and continue it up to the first tonsure (cūḍā/caula).
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determining the correct duration of impurity/observance and the proper window for beginning the naiśikī-śruti instruction for children of different varṇas, up to the cūḍā (tonsure) saṃskāra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Naiśikī-śruti commencement and varṇa-wise night-count (up to cūḍā)","lookup_keywords":["naiśikī śruti","cūḍā/caula","varṇa-wise nights","dantajanana","śūdra vaiśya"],"quick_summary":"From the eruption of teeth, the child is to be started immediately in the ‘naiśikī śruti’ regimen and continue it until the first tonsure; the verse also encodes night-count rules differentiated by varṇa."}
Concept: Saṃskāra-linked eligibility and time-bound observances (adhikāra and kāla) as a means to preserve ritual order in the household.
Application: Use as a decision rule for family priests/guardians to schedule early-life instruction and related observances up to caula.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Samskara & Varna-Ashrama Regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household scene where elders begin a child’s nightly recitation/instruction (naiśikī śruti) after the child’s teeth have erupted, with preparations leading up to the future cūḍā (tonsure) rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm mineral pigments, a Brahmin teacher seated with palm-leaf manuscript, child with newly erupted teeth being guided in evening recitation, oil lamp (dīpa) glowing, domestic courtyard, traditional ornaments, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on lamp and ornaments, teacher and child in a sanctified domestic setting, palm-leaf manuscript, ritual vessels, emphasis on auspiciousness and saṃskāra continuity up to cūḍā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional tableau: elder pointing to manuscript, child repeating, calendar-like depiction of nights counted, subtle architectural interior with pillars and lamp.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic interior, tutor and child in evening lesson, attendants with lamp and manuscript box, fine textiles, marginal notes suggesting ‘naiśikī śruti’ and ‘cūḍā’ timing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आदन्तजननात् = आ-दन्त-जननात् (tatpuruṣa) ; आचूडान्नैशिकी = आचूडात् + नैशिकी (त् + न → न्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dharma-vidhi sections on saṃskāras (cūḍā/caula) and āśauca rules in the same khanda
FAQs
It specifies varna-linked durations (in nights) and the proper life-stage window—from first teething until the tonsure (caula/cūḍā)—for beginning the ‘naiśikī śruti’ form of sacred instruction/recitation.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma material: precise calendrical/age markers for rites, eligibility by social category (varna), and named modes of instruction—showing it functions as a handbook of ritual and social regulation.
By prescribing timely initiation of sacred instruction within the sanctioned childhood window, it frames correct observance as a purificatory discipline that supports dharmic formation and merit (puṇya) through orderly samskara practice.