Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
अष्टाहेन तु शूद्रस्य द्वादशाहादतः परं स्त्रीणां विशुद्धिरुदिता स्नानमात्रेण वै पितुः
aṣṭāhena tu śūdrasya dvādaśāhādataḥ paraṃ strīṇāṃ viśuddhiruditā snānamātreṇa vai pituḥ
For a Śūdra, purification is declared to be attained after eight days; for women, after twelve days and thereafter; but for the father, purification is achieved merely by bathing.
Lord Agni (narrating Purana-dharma to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determining the duration and method of śauca (purificatory observance) after a death/birth impurity (āśauca) for different social categories and relations, guiding when one may resume daily rites, temple entry, and domestic rituals.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Āśauca-śuddhi kāla: Śūdra, strī, pitṛ (snānamātra)","lookup_keywords":["āśauca","śauca","śuddhi-kāla","snānamātra","sapinda/kinship"],"quick_summary":"Sets time-based purification rules: a Śūdra’s śuddhi after eight days, women after twelve days, while the father’s purification is achieved by bathing alone in the stated context."}
Concept: Ritual purity is regulated by relation (pitṛ) and social duty, with graded observances to restore eligibility for rites.
Application: Use the stated durations to schedule śrāddha-related restrictions, cooking/serving rules, and resumption of nitya-karma; apply snāna as the minimal purifier where specified.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashaucha & Shaucha: rules of impurity and purification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household in mourning observing āśauca: women and kin seated apart, a father performing a purificatory bath, with ritual vessels and a simple domestic shrine kept untouched.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a traditional South Indian household courtyard, father at a bathing spot with brass pot, women in mourning attire seated aside, subtle sacred thread details, calm dharma-instruction mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, domestic śauca scene: father bathing with ornate brass kumbha, minimal background, decorative borders, emphasis on ritual purity symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework: instructional depiction of śauca durations written on palm-leaf beside figures, father bathing, women observing restraint, clean architectural interior.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic interior with courtyard water basin, father bathing, attendants holding towels, women seated in a separate area, marginal notes indicating day counts (8, 12)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वादशाहादतः → द्वादशाहात् + अतः; विशुद्धिरुदिता → विशुद्धिः + उदिता; स्नानमात्रेण वै → स्नानमात्रेण + वै.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (Āśauca-śauca prakaraṇa); Agni Purana sections on śrāddha and antyeṣṭi (funerary rites)
FAQs
It gives ashaucha–shuddhi timings: the period after which ritual purity is regained for a Śūdra (eight days), for women (twelve days and thereafter), and states that the father’s purification may be completed by a simple bath.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana compiles practical dharma-shastra material—household and social regulations on impurity and purification—showing its scope as a reference manual for ritual law and daily conduct.
Observing prescribed purification restores adhikāra (eligibility) for worship, offerings, and social rites, ensuring actions are performed in a state of ritual fitness and thus bear proper religious merit.