Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
द्रव्याणां परिशेषाणां द्रव्यशुद्धिर्विधीयते कूपैकपानसक्ता ये स्पर्शात्सङ्कल्पदूषिताः
dravyāṇāṃ pariśeṣāṇāṃ dravyaśuddhirvidhīyate kūpaikapānasaktā ye sparśātsaṅkalpadūṣitāḥ
द्रव्यों के बचे हुए अंशों के लिए द्रव्य-शुद्धि का विधान है। विशेषतः जो लोग केवल एक ही कूप (कुएँ) से जल पीने में आसक्त हों, वे (अशुद्ध) संकल्प के कारण स्पर्श मात्र से दूषित हो जाते हैं—उनके लिए शुद्धि-नियम बताया गया है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Rules for purifying leftover substances and addressing contamination arising from touch and intention (saṅkalpa), especially in contexts of shared water sources (single-well drinking discipline).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Dravya-śuddhi for leftovers; saṅkalpa-doṣa and touch-impurity in shared water use","lookup_keywords":["dravya-śuddhi","pariśeṣa","saṅkalpa-doṣa","sparśa-doṣa","kūpa"],"quick_summary":"Leftover materials require specific purification; contamination can arise not only from contact but also from impure intention, highlighted through the example of strict single-well water use."}
Concept: Inner intention (saṅkalpa) participates in purity/impurity alongside external contact; śauca is both behavioral and mental.
Application: In purity-sensitive settings (food/water sharing), regulate both handling practices and mental resolve; apply prescribed dravya-śuddhi to leftovers before reuse.
Khanda Section: Shauca-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Rules of Cleanliness)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vicara
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A well in a village courtyard; people draw water with care; a teacher explains that leftovers and touched items need purification, and that impure intention itself taints; vessels are shown being set aside for cleansing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central stone well with rope and pot, figures maintaining distance and careful touch, a guru gesturing to the heart (saṅkalpa) and to vessels (dravya), flat decorative style with clear narrative cues","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, well scene with gold accents on water pot and ornaments, teacher figure with halo-like emphasis, vessels arranged for purification, rich colors conveying order and sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: well on one side, leftover substances on a tray, arrows indicating ‘sparśa’ and ‘saṅkalpa’, calm palette and precise linework for instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard well with attendants, careful handling of water pots, scholar explaining subtle impurity of intention, fine architectural and textile detail, soft naturalistic tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्रव्यशुद्धिर्विधीयते = द्रव्यशुद्धिः + विधीयते (visarga sandhi); स्पर्शात्सङ्कल्पदूषिताः = स्पर्शात् + सङ्कल्पदूषिताः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (śauca rules on substances and contact)
FAQs
It lays down dravya-śuddhi: the rule that remnants/leftover materials require prescribed purification, and that impurity can arise not only from physical touch (sparśa) but also from the contaminating role of intention (saṅkalpa).
By codifying practical purity regulations—covering remnants, contact-impurity, and mental factors—it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s wide scope beyond mythology into applied dharma, ritual procedure, and social-religious hygiene.
It teaches that purity is both external and internal: even if an act seems physically minor (mere touch), an impure saṅkalpa can generate defilement, so purification safeguards ritual merit and ethical discipline.