Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 5
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
षड्रात्रेण त्रिरात्रेण षड्भिः शूद्रे तथा विशः आदन्तजननात् सद्य आचूडान्नैशिकी श्रुतिः
ṣaḍrātreṇa trirātreṇa ṣaḍbhiḥ śūdre tathā viśaḥ ādantajananāt sadya ācūḍānnaiśikī śrutiḥ
शूद्र के लिए शौच-काल छह रात्रियाँ है और वैश्य के लिए तीन रात्रियाँ। दाँत निकलते ही ‘नैशिकी श्रुति’ का उपदेश तुरंत आरम्भ कर, चूड़ा (प्रथम मुंडन) तक निरन्तर करना चाहिए।
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determining the correct duration of impurity/observance and the proper window for beginning the naiśikī-śruti instruction for children of different varṇas, up to the cūḍā (tonsure) saṃskāra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Naiśikī-śruti commencement and varṇa-wise night-count (up to cūḍā)","lookup_keywords":["naiśikī śruti","cūḍā/caula","varṇa-wise nights","dantajanana","śūdra vaiśya"],"quick_summary":"From the eruption of teeth, the child is to be started immediately in the ‘naiśikī śruti’ regimen and continue it until the first tonsure; the verse also encodes night-count rules differentiated by varṇa."}
Concept: Saṃskāra-linked eligibility and time-bound observances (adhikāra and kāla) as a means to preserve ritual order in the household.
Application: Use as a decision rule for family priests/guardians to schedule early-life instruction and related observances up to caula.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Samskara & Varna-Ashrama Regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household scene where elders begin a child’s nightly recitation/instruction (naiśikī śruti) after the child’s teeth have erupted, with preparations leading up to the future cūḍā (tonsure) rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm mineral pigments, a Brahmin teacher seated with palm-leaf manuscript, child with newly erupted teeth being guided in evening recitation, oil lamp (dīpa) glowing, domestic courtyard, traditional ornaments, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on lamp and ornaments, teacher and child in a sanctified domestic setting, palm-leaf manuscript, ritual vessels, emphasis on auspiciousness and saṃskāra continuity up to cūḍā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional tableau: elder pointing to manuscript, child repeating, calendar-like depiction of nights counted, subtle architectural interior with pillars and lamp.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic interior, tutor and child in evening lesson, attendants with lamp and manuscript box, fine textiles, marginal notes suggesting ‘naiśikī śruti’ and ‘cūḍā’ timing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आदन्तजननात् = आ-दन्त-जननात् (tatpuruṣa) ; आचूडान्नैशिकी = आचूडात् + नैशिकी (त् + न → न्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dharma-vidhi sections on saṃskāras (cūḍā/caula) and āśauca rules in the same khanda
FAQs
It specifies varna-linked durations (in nights) and the proper life-stage window—from first teething until the tonsure (caula/cūḍā)—for beginning the ‘naiśikī śruti’ form of sacred instruction/recitation.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma material: precise calendrical/age markers for rites, eligibility by social category (varna), and named modes of instruction—showing it functions as a handbook of ritual and social regulation.
By prescribing timely initiation of sacred instruction within the sanctioned childhood window, it frames correct observance as a purificatory discipline that supports dharmic formation and merit (puṇya) through orderly samskara practice.