Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
मृटे जामातरि प्रेते दैहित्रे भगिनीसुते श्यालके तत्सुते चैव स्नानमात्रं विधीयते
mṛṭe jāmātari prete daihitre bhaginīsute śyālake tatsute caiva snānamātraṃ vidhīyate
婿が死んだとき、また娘の子（外孫）や姉妹の子、義兄弟（śyālaka）、さらにその子が死んだときは、浄めとして沐浴のみが定められる。
Lord Agni (narrating dharma rules to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Applying the minimal śuddhi requirement (snāna-mātra) for specific affinal and collateral relations’ deaths, preventing overextension of mourning restrictions while maintaining ritual propriety.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Snāna-mātra śuddhi for certain relatives’ deaths","lookup_keywords":["jāmātṛ","dauhitra","bhaginī-suta","śyālaka","snāna"],"quick_summary":"For the death of a son-in-law, daughter’s son, sister’s son, brother-in-law, or his son, the prescribed purification is only bathing, without extended aśauca."}
Concept: Dharma calibrates impurity by relational proximity; śuddhi may be proportionate (here, snāna alone).
Application: After hearing such a death, perform snāna and resume permitted duties (nitya-karma, social contact) as allowed by one’s śākhā/smṛti practice.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashaucha–Shuddhi–Antyeshti / Impurity and Purificatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Messenger brings news of a relative’s death; the householder performs immediate bath as the sole purification, then returns to routine worship with restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, a simple bathing scene near a well/pond, a messenger at the gate, family members in subdued tones, emphasis on ritual cleanliness and composure.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central snāna figure with ornate water pot highlighted in gold, small vignettes of the listed relations around the border, temple-lamp motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: labeled figures (jāmātṛ, dauhitra, bhaginī-suta, śyālaka) and a single arrow pointing to 'snāna', neat decorative frame.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined domestic interior with a bathing chamber, attendant holding towels, a written note naming the deceased relation, quiet solemnity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (kinship-based aśauca gradations)
FAQs
It specifies the level of purification required after the death of certain affinal and extended relatives: only a ritual bath (snāna-mātra) is required, rather than a longer impurity observance.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana also preserves practical dharma-shastra guidance—here, fine-grained rules of ritual purity and social-religious procedure connected with death and cleansing.
Bathing serves as a minimal purification that restores ritual eligibility and cleanliness after contact with death-related impurity in these more distant relationships, balancing reverence for the deceased with proportionate observance.