Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
मृटे जामातरि प्रेते दैहित्रे भगिनीसुते श्यालके तत्सुते चैव स्नानमात्रं विधीयते
mṛṭe jāmātari prete daihitre bhaginīsute śyālake tatsute caiva snānamātraṃ vidhīyate
Lorsque le gendre meurt, ou le fils de la fille (petit-fils), ou le fils de la sœur, ou le beau-frère (śyālaka), ou le fils de ce beau-frère, seul le bain est prescrit (comme observance purificatrice).
Lord Agni (narrating dharma rules to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Applying the minimal śuddhi requirement (snāna-mātra) for specific affinal and collateral relations’ deaths, preventing overextension of mourning restrictions while maintaining ritual propriety.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Snāna-mātra śuddhi for certain relatives’ deaths","lookup_keywords":["jāmātṛ","dauhitra","bhaginī-suta","śyālaka","snāna"],"quick_summary":"For the death of a son-in-law, daughter’s son, sister’s son, brother-in-law, or his son, the prescribed purification is only bathing, without extended aśauca."}
Concept: Dharma calibrates impurity by relational proximity; śuddhi may be proportionate (here, snāna alone).
Application: After hearing such a death, perform snāna and resume permitted duties (nitya-karma, social contact) as allowed by one’s śākhā/smṛti practice.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashaucha–Shuddhi–Antyeshti / Impurity and Purificatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Messenger brings news of a relative’s death; the householder performs immediate bath as the sole purification, then returns to routine worship with restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, a simple bathing scene near a well/pond, a messenger at the gate, family members in subdued tones, emphasis on ritual cleanliness and composure.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central snāna figure with ornate water pot highlighted in gold, small vignettes of the listed relations around the border, temple-lamp motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: labeled figures (jāmātṛ, dauhitra, bhaginī-suta, śyālaka) and a single arrow pointing to 'snāna', neat decorative frame.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined domestic interior with a bathing chamber, attendant holding towels, a written note naming the deceased relation, quiet solemnity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (kinship-based aśauca gradations)
FAQs
It specifies the level of purification required after the death of certain affinal and extended relatives: only a ritual bath (snāna-mātra) is required, rather than a longer impurity observance.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana also preserves practical dharma-shastra guidance—here, fine-grained rules of ritual purity and social-religious procedure connected with death and cleansing.
Bathing serves as a minimal purification that restores ritual eligibility and cleanliness after contact with death-related impurity in these more distant relationships, balancing reverence for the deceased with proportionate observance.