Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 19
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
अहस्त्वदत्तकन्यासु प्रदत्तासु त्र्यहं भवेत् पक्षिणी संस्कृतास्वेव स्वस्रादिषु विधीयते
ahastvadattakanyāsu pradattāsu tryahaṃ bhavet pakṣiṇī saṃskṛtāsveva svasrādiṣu vidhīyate
Pour les jeunes filles données en mariage sans le rite de la « remise de la main » (hastadāna), et simplement « données » (pradattāḥ), on prescrit une période de trois jours (d’observance/impureté). L’observance dite pakṣiṇī n’est enjointe qu’à celles qui ont été dûment consacrées par les rites, telles que la sœur et autres semblables.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Determining the correct duration/type of āśauca/observance based on whether a maiden’s marriage included proper hastadāna and saṃskāra; applying pakṣiṇī only where ritually valid.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hastadāna vs. pradattā marriage: observance periods; pakṣiṇī applicability","lookup_keywords":["hastadāna","pradattā","pakṣiṇī","āśauca","kanyā-udvāha"],"quick_summary":"If a maiden is married without formal hand-giving (hastadāna) and is only ‘given’ (pradattā), a three-day observance applies; pakṣiṇī is prescribed only for properly consecrated relations (e.g., sister) where full rites were performed."}
Concept: Ritual form (saṃskāra) determines social-religious status and consequent purity/observance rules.
Application: When adjudicating family observances, verify whether marriage rites were properly completed before applying stricter/particular observances like pakṣiṇī.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Sanskara-vidhi (Marriage and purity rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A marriage setting contrasting two cases: one with formal hand-giving (hastadāna) before the sacred fire, and another simplified ‘giving’ without the key rite; a priest indicates the resulting observance period.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: split-panel composition—left: proper vivāha with hastadāna near agni, right: incomplete giving; priest gestures to a palm-leaf rule; restrained, didactic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate wedding scene with gold-leaf highlights on agni-kuṇḍa and jewelry; priest and elders performing hastadāna; border text-cartouche indicating ‘triyaham’ and ‘pakṣiṇī’ as labels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram-like painting showing ritual steps (hastadāna present/absent) with neat detailing of hands joined, water vessel, fire altar; captions for observance durations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly domestic wedding interior; careful depiction of hand-giving gesture, attendants, priest; marginal note-like panels showing the alternate case; soft colors, documentary feel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अहस्त्वदत्तकन्यासु treated as compound; संस्कृतास्वेव = संस्कृतासु + एव; स्वस्रादिषु = स्वसृ + आदि + षु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (āśauca and saṃskāra-niyama cluster)
FAQs
It distinguishes impurity/observance periods connected with marriage-giving: a three-day rule applies when a maiden is given without formal hastadāna, while the specialized pakṣiṇī observance is reserved for properly saṃskṛta (rite-completed) relations such as a sister.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana compiles practical dharma regulations—here, fine-grained legal-ritual distinctions about marriage procedure and resulting observances—reflecting its Smṛti-like, encyclopedic scope.
By prescribing the correct observance (tryaha/pakṣiṇī) according to the validity and completeness of rites, it safeguards ritual purity and right conduct (dharma), which is held to support auspicious karmic outcomes and social-religious order.