Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 52
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
अनाहिताग्निरेकेन लौकिकेनापरस् तथा अस्मात् त्वमभिजातो ऽसि त्वदयं जायतां पुनः
anāhitāgnirekena laukikenāparas tathā asmāt tvamabhijāto 'si tvadayaṃ jāyatāṃ punaḥ
L’un est dépourvu des feux sacrés consacrés (anāhitāgni), tandis qu’un autre ne maintient que le feu domestique ordinaire. De cette lignée/union tu es né; que cette descendance naisse de nouveau de toi.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual-legal rule within the chapter’s discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Clarifying categories of householders by fire-status (anāhitāgni vs laukikāgni) and providing a lineage/offspring formula used in rites to affirm continuity and ‘rebirth’ through progeny/ritual intention.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Fire-status distinction (anāhitāgni vs laukikāgni) and lineage rebirth formula","lookup_keywords":["anāhitāgni","laukikāgni","agnihotra","abhijāta","punar-janma"],"quick_summary":"The verse distinguishes one without consecrated fires from one who keeps only the ordinary domestic fire, and includes a formula affirming birth from a lineage and the wish for ‘being born again’—a ritualized statement of continuity."}
Concept: Vaidika life is structured by agni (consecrated vs ordinary), and continuity is affirmed through saṃtati (progeny) and ritual speech that frames ‘rebirth’ as lineage renewal.
Application: In smārta-vaidika contexts, determine which fire is ritually admissible for a given karma; use the formula as a sanctioned utterance in rites emphasizing lineage continuity (as applicable to the local prayoga).
Khanda Section: Agni-hotra & Smārta-Vaidika Karma (Fire-ritual regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two householders contrasted: one without consecrated fires, another tending a simple domestic hearth; a ritual speaker pronounces a lineage-continuity formula symbolizing rebirth through progeny.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: diptych—left a quiet house with no sacred altars, right a home with a glowing hearth and ritual space; a priest recites a mantra of lineage continuity, stylized flames and flat composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central domestic fire with gold leaf glow, ritual vessels and ladles, figures in formal posture; subtle secondary panel showing absence of consecrated fires; ornate borders and rich reds.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene with clearly drawn hearth (laukika) versus marked sacred-fire area (āhitāgni), a priest pointing while reciting the formula, clean lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: interior household scenes with detailed hearth, utensils, and attendants; a learned figure recites the Sanskrit formula, nuanced lighting from fire, architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अनाहिताग्निर् = अनाहिताग्निः; लौकिकेनापरस् = लौकिकेन + अपरः; त्वमभिजातोऽसि = त्वम् + अभिजातः + असि; त्वदयं = त्वत् + अयम्; जायतां = जायताम् (लोट् आत्मनेपद).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158.51 (āhitāgni cremation by ritual fires); Agni Purana sections on agnihotra/smārta karma (elsewhere in the Purana, depending on recension)
FAQs
It distinguishes the status of an Āhita-agni (one who has formally established Vedic fires) from one who keeps only a laukika (ordinary) fire, a key classification used in Agnihotra duties and related expiations.
It preserves Smārta–Vaidika ritual taxonomy (types of fire-holders and their ritual standing), showing the text’s coverage of practical dharma alongside theology and myth.
Correct fire-establishment and maintenance are treated as purity-bearing obligations; misclassification or neglect affects merit, while proper observance (and, where needed, expiation) restores ritual fitness and dharmic continuity.