Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 14
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
एकां लिङ्गे मृदं दद्यात् करयोस्त्रिद्विमृत्तिकाः ब्रह्मचारिवनस्थानां यतीनाञ्च चतुर्गुणं
ekāṃ liṅge mṛdaṃ dadyāt karayostridvimṛttikāḥ brahmacārivanasthānāṃ yatīnāñca caturguṇaṃ
On appliquera une portion de terre purificatrice sur l’organe génital; pour les mains, trois et deux portions (respectivement). Pour les brahmacārins, les habitants de la forêt (vānaprastha) et les renonçants (yatins), la quantité est quadruplée.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Exact method and scaling rules for clay-based purification of body parts; differentiated standards for life-stages/āśramas (brahmacārin, vānaprastha, yati).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Clay Application Protocol and Āśrama-Based Multipliers","lookup_keywords":["mṛd","liṅga śauca","kara śauca","brahmacārin","yati"],"quick_summary":"Gives a precise distribution of cleansing earth: one portion for genitals, and specified portions for hands; for brahmacārins, forest-dwellers, and renunciants, the quantity is multiplied fourfold, indicating stricter purity discipline."}
Concept: Āśrama-dharma modulates standards of purity; ascetic/student life entails heightened śauca.
Application: Implement stricter cleansing quantities for brahmacārins/vānaprasthas/yatis in communal or ritual settings (gurukula, āśrama, temples).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shauca & Ahnika: ritual purification with clay)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A step-by-step purification demonstration: clay applied to genitals and hands with measured portions; an inset shows brahmacārin, vānaprastha, and yati with a fourfold quantity rule.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: three ascetic figures (student with staff, forest-dweller with matted hair, renunciant with ochre cloth) beside a householder; all shown using clay and water for cleansing; stylized measuring marks indicating fourfold increase; earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central purification act with gold-highlighted water pot and clay; side portraits of brahmacārin/vānaprastha/yati with a ‘4x’ symbolic motif (four lotuses); rich ornamented frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional layout with labeled body parts (hands/genitals) and portion counts; separate row showing the three āśramas and the multiplier; clean lines and didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: an āśrama courtyard where a teacher instructs students on cleansing with clay; ascetics in background; detailed vessels, textures of earth and water, naturalistic gestures."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: karayostridvimṛttikāḥ = karayoḥ + tri-dvi-mṛttikāḥ; brahmacārivanasthānāṃ = brahmacāri + vanasthānām (dvandva); yatīnāñca = yatīnām + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156.13 (clay counts after excretion); Agni Purana 156 (general śauca rules)
FAQs
It prescribes the quantified use of cleansing earth (mṛttikā) for bodily purification—specific counts for the genital area and hands, with stricter (multiplied) practice for brahmacārins, vānaprasthas, and yatins.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana records practical āhnika and śauca regulations—minute, procedural rules of hygiene and ritual purity—showing its coverage of day-to-day dharma alongside larger spiritual topics.
Correct śauca supports ritual eligibility and purity of conduct; stricter standards for ascetic life reinforce self-discipline (tapas) and reduce impurity (aśauca), supporting merit (puṇya) and steadiness in religious practice.