Shloka 32
Rules of Purity (Shauca) — Rules of Purity (Śauca), Permissible Foods, and the Duties of the Householder and Forest-Dweller
नान्तर्जलाद्राक्षस मूषिकस्थलात् शौचावशिष्टा शरणात् तथान्या वल्मीकमृच्चैव हि शौचनाय ग्राह्य सदाचारविदा नरेण
nāntarjalādrākṣasa mūṣikasthalāt śaucāvaśiṣṭā śaraṇāt tathānyā valmīkamṛccaiva hi śaucanāya grāhya sadācāravidā nareṇa
On ne doit pas prendre la terre de purification dans l’eau, ni dans des lieux hantés par des rākṣasa, ni dans des trous ou terrains de rats, ni dans les restes laissés après la toilette d’autrui, ni dans des abris, ni dans d’autres lieux semblables. En revanche, la terre d’une termitière (valmīka-mṛt) doit être prise pour la purification par l’homme qui connaît la bonne conduite.
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FAQs
Purity is not only an act but also a discernment (viveka): one must choose uncontaminated means, reflecting an ethic of carefulness and non-negligence in daily religious life.
Ancillary dharma/ācāra material (ritual hygiene norms), not one of the five defining purāṇic characteristics.
The rejection of ‘mixed’ or ‘dwelt-in’ earth underscores the idea that ritual tools carry saṃskāra (impressions/contagion). Anthill earth is treated as naturally processed/filtered and thus ritually suitable.