Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 23
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
दशाहाच्छुद्ध्यते विप्रो जन्महानौ स्वयोनिषु षद्भिस्त्रिभिरहैकेन क्षत्रविट्शूद्रयोनिषु
daśāhācchuddhyate vipro janmahānau svayoniṣu ṣadbhistribhirahaikena kṣatraviṭśūdrayoniṣu
Lorsque l’impureté de naissance ou de mort survient au sein de son propre groupe de caste, un brāhmane est purifié après dix jours ; pour les kṣatriya, vaiśya et śūdra, la purification a lieu respectivement après six jours, trois jours et un jour.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determine the duration of āśauca (ritual impurity) after birth/death within one’s own varṇa-group, so that daily rites, temple entry, śrāddha, and social transactions resume at the correct time.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Varṇa-wise āśauca duration for birth/death within one’s own group","lookup_keywords":["āśauca","sūtaka","mṛtaka","varṇa","daśāha"],"quick_summary":"Sets graded purification periods: brāhmaṇa 10 days; kṣatriya 6; vaiśya 3; śūdra 1, when impurity arises within one’s own caste-group."}
Concept: Ritual purity is time-bound and socially differentiated by varṇa in dharma-norms.
Application: Observe the stated number of days before resuming agnihotra, japa, pūjā, śrāddha participation, and communal rites.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashauca & Shauca: rules of impurity and purification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household marked by birth/death impurity; family members refrain from worship while a learned brāhmaṇa counts the purification days for each varṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, interior of a traditional house with oil lamps dimmed, a palm-leaf manuscript in a brāhmaṇa’s hand listing daśāha/ṣaḍaha/trirātra/ekāha, restrained earthy palette, flat iconic figures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on ritual vessels kept aside, a dharma-śāstra scroll showing numbers 10-6-3-1, stylized figures in South Indian attire, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: four panels labeled brāhmaṇa/kṣatriya/vaiśya/śūdra with corresponding day counts, delicate linework, soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a jurist-like paṇḍit explaining āśauca durations to a family, detailed textiles, architectural niche, fine calligraphy of day counts"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: daśāhācchuddhyate = daśa-ahāt śuddhyate; ṣadbhistribhirahaikena = ṣaḍbhiḥ tribhiḥ ahā ekena (ahā as instr. sg. of ahan); kṣatraviṭśūdrayoniṣu as multi-member compound with yoniṣu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (āśauca-śauca section); Agni Purana śrāddha/antyeṣṭi prakaraṇa (nearby chapters)
FAQs
It prescribes the duration of ashauca (ritual impurity) and the corresponding shuddhi (purification) period after a birth or death within one’s own varna-group: 10 days for Brāhmaṇas; 6/3/1 day(s) for Kṣatriya/Vaiśya/Śūdra.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical dharma-shāstra regulations—here, household and social-ritual law governing purity, mourning observances, and eligibility to resume rites.
Observing the prescribed ashauca period is treated as a discipline of ritual order (śauca), ensuring that sacred acts are performed in a state considered fit and thereby preserving religious merit and communal harmony.