Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
श्रीफलैर् अंशुपट्टानां क्षौमाणाङ्गौरसर्षपैः शोधनाभ्युक्षणाद्वस्त्रे इति घ , ङ च शुद्धिः पर्युक्ष्य तोयेन मृगलोम्नां प्रकीर्तिता
śrīphalair aṃśupaṭṭānāṃ kṣaumāṇāṅgaurasarṣapaiḥ śodhanābhyukṣaṇādvastre iti gha , ṅa ca śuddhiḥ paryukṣya toyena mṛgalomnāṃ prakīrtitā
અંશુપટ્ટ (રેશમી) વસ્ત્રો શ્રીફળ (નારિયેળ) વડે શુદ્ધ થાય છે; અને ક્ષૌમ (અલસી/શણ) વસ્ત્રો ગૌર-સરસવ વડે—શોધન કરીને તથા પવિત્ર જળ છાંટીને—શુદ્ધ થાય છે. મૃગલോമ (હરણના વાળ)ની વસ્તુઓ જળ છાંટવાથી શુદ્ધ કહેવાય છે।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Material-specific purification methods for textiles and animal-hair items used in domestic and ritual life; guidance for maintaining ritual usability of garments and implements.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Purification of Cloth and Animal-Hair Articles (Silk, Linen, Deer-Hair)","lookup_keywords":["aṃśupaṭṭa","kṣauma","śrīphala","gaura-sarṣapa","mṛga-loma"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes how to purify different materials: silk with coconut, linen with pale mustard via cleansing and sprinkling, and deer-hair items by sprinkling with water. Serves as a practical manual for restoring ritual cleanliness of objects."}
Concept: Purity extends to objects; different substances require different śodhana methods suited to their nature.
Application: When garments/ritual items are contaminated: apply the specified cleansing agent (coconut for silk; pale mustard for linen with washing/sprinkling; water-sprinkling for deer-hair) to restore usability in worship and rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shaucha-vidhi (Ritual Purification of Materials)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household/temple utility scene: different textiles laid out—silk, linen, and deer-hair items—being purified with coconut, pale mustard seeds, and water sprinkling respectively; a priest or householder performs prokṣaṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritual assistant sprinkling water over deer-hair articles; silk cloth near a coconut; linen cloth with pale mustard seeds in a bowl; stylized vessels and textiles, warm temple palette, clear material contrasts.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly patterned silk cloth with gold accents beside a coconut; linen cloth with mustard seeds; priest sprinkling sanctified water; heavy ornamental borders and gold leaf highlighting textiles and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional still-life arrangement—three materials with their cleansing agents labeled; a hand sprinkling water (prokṣaṇa) shown clearly; fine detailing of fabric textures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier-like domestic courtyard with textiles spread on a carpet; attendant holds coconut and bowl of pale mustard; another sprinkles water over deer-hair items; intricate textile patterns and realistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śrīphalair = śrīphalaiḥ (visarga sandhi); kṣaumāṇāṅgaurasarṣapaiḥ reflects kṣaumāṇām + gaurasarṣapaiḥ; śodhanābhyukṣaṇādvastre = śodhana-abhyukṣaṇāt + vastre; paryukṣya from pari+√ukṣ (lyap).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (object purification context)
FAQs
It prescribes material-specific purification: silk with coconut, linen with pale mustard via cleansing and sprinkling, and deer-hair items purified by sprinkling with water (abhyukṣaṇa/paryukṣaṇa).
It catalogues practical, item-by-item ritual hygiene protocols—showing the text’s handbook-like coverage of applied dharma (shaucha) alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct purification removes ritual impurity (aśauca/doṣa) from worship materials, supporting the validity (śuddhatā) of rites and the merit (puṇya) gained from properly performed offerings.