Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
यच्छेषं दशरात्रस्य तावदेवशुचिर्भवेत् अतीते दशरात्रे तु त्रिरात्रमशुचिर्भवेत्
yaccheṣaṃ daśarātrasya tāvadevaśucirbhavet atīte daśarātre tu trirātramaśucirbhavet
Pour la part qui reste de la période des dix nuits, on demeure impur exactement durant ce laps de temps. Mais si les dix nuits sont déjà écoulées, alors l’impureté ne dure que trois nuits.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in dharma topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Computing residual impurity duration precisely (pro-rata remainder of ten nights; otherwise three nights) for correct scheduling of rites and social restrictions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Residual daśarātra rule and fallback trirātra āśauca","lookup_keywords":["daśarātra śeṣa","trirātra","āśauca gaṇanā","śuddhi kāla","niyama"],"quick_summary":"If one enters the ten-night impurity window late, impurity lasts only for the remaining portion; if the ten nights have already passed, a three-night impurity applies."}
Concept: Dharma is sensitive to time and circumstance; obligations are calibrated (not excessive) by precise temporal computation.
Application: Use this rule to calculate when to resume agnihotra/pujā, temple entry, and communal meals after receiving delayed news of an impurity-causing event.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra / Āśauca-vidhi (Impurity and purification regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic domestic scene with a ten-mark timeline; a person learns of an event mid-way and observes impurity only for the remaining days; alternate panel shows three-night observance when ten nights have already elapsed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symbolic timeline as ten oil lamps on a wall, some already extinguished; figure counting remaining lamps; secondary trio of lamps for trirātra; warm tones, stylized gestures of counting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-embossed timeline of ten lamps with remaining lamps highlighted; three-lamp motif for trirātra; household figure with water-pot and prayer beads, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional chart-like painting—ten-day bar with ‘śeṣa’ portion shaded; separate three-day bar; fine linework, clear labels, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor scene with a clerk-like figure marking days on a scroll/calendar; lamps indicating nights; second vignette with three-night observance; detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यच्छेषं = यत् + शेषम् (त् + श् → च्छ्); तावदेव = तावत् + एव; एवशुचिः = एव + शुचिः; शुचिर्भवेत् = शुचिः + भवेत्; त्रिरात्रमशुचिः = त्रिरात्रम् + अशुचिः; अशुचिर्भवेत् = अशुचिः + भवेत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (time-counting in āśauca)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for computing the duration of ritual impurity (āśauca): if the ten-night term is ongoing, impurity lasts only for the remaining balance; if that term has already passed, a fresh three-night impurity is observed.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana includes applied dharma regulations—time-bound rules for purity/impurity that govern daily ritual eligibility, social conduct, and household practice.
Observing the correct āśauca period preserves ritual integrity and is treated as a form of self-discipline (niyama), supporting purity of conduct and preventing ritual fault (doṣa) in religious acts.