Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
रजस्वला तु नाश्नीयात् संस्पृष्टा हीनवर्णया यावन्न शुद्धिमाप्नोति शुद्धस्नानेन शुद्ध्यति
rajasvalā tu nāśnīyāt saṃspṛṣṭā hīnavarṇayā yāvanna śuddhimāpnoti śuddhasnānena śuddhyati
A menstruating woman should not eat in that state. If she has been touched by a woman of lower varṇa-status, she should abstain until she attains purification; she becomes purified by a proper purificatory bath.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Gives conduct restrictions (not eating) during menstruation and prescribes purification by proper bath after contact with lower-varṇa woman.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rajasvalā conduct: abstention from eating and śuddhi after hiṇa-varṇa contact","lookup_keywords":["rajasvalā","na aśnīyāt","hīna-varṇa sparśa","śuddha-snāna","śauca"],"quick_summary":"A menstruating woman is instructed to abstain from eating; if touched by a lower-varṇa woman, she should refrain until purified, which is achieved through a proper purificatory bath."}
Concept: Śauca is maintained through regulated conduct (niyama) and restored through prescribed cleansing acts (snāna) after impurity-contact.
Application: Household observance: manage food/ritual participation restrictions and resolve contact-impurity via formal bathing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Shauca & Ashauca: ritual purity rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A menstruating woman refrains from food; after an impurity-contact, she performs a formal purificatory bath to regain śuddhi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: interior scene with covered food plate set aside; exterior ghat with ritual bath; subdued reds/ochres; emphasis on restraint and cleansing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: iconic figure near a water tank holding a brass lota; food offerings kept untouched; gold embellishments on vessels and borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: didactic depiction of ‘do not eat’ gesture and then ‘śuddha-snāna’; fine ornamentation, clear sequencing, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: domestic chamber with attendants; a meal tray withdrawn; later a garden pavilion with bathing arrangement; intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाश्नीयात् → न + अश्नीयात्; शुद्धिमाप्नोति → शुद्धिम् + आप्नोति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170.33 (udakyā-contact and same-day bath); Agni Purana 170.35 (purification via pañcagavya)
FAQs
It gives a shauca (purity) rule: during menstruation one should refrain from eating, and after certain contact-based impurity one regains ritual purity through a prescribed purificatory bath (śuddha-snāna).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves practical Dharmaśāstra-style regulations on daily conduct, impurity, and purification—showing its wide, encyclopedic coverage of social and ritual norms.
The verse frames purity as a prerequisite for ritual and dharmic living: observing restraint during impurity and completing purification through bathing is presented as restoring eligibility for religious acts and maintaining karmic order.