Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
कृत्वोदकन्तु यद्द्रव्यं शौचितं शौचनन्तु तत् तेषामभावे शौचन्तु मृगदर्पाम्भसा भवेत्
kṛtvodakantu yaddravyaṃ śaucitaṃ śaucanantu tat teṣāmabhāve śaucantu mṛgadarpāmbhasā bhavet
水を施して清められる物は、その物自体が清浄の手段となる。もしそれらの常用の浄材が無いときは、鹿の麝香を混ぜた水によって清浄を得るべし。
Lord Agni (teaching the dharma and procedural rules of purification)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Rules for purification: water as primary cleanser; contingency method using water with deer-musk when standard agents are unavailable.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śauca-sādhana — Jalena śuddhi; Abhāve Mṛga-darpa-ambhas","lookup_keywords":["śauca","śuddhi","jala","mṛga-darpa","cleansing agent"],"quick_summary":"Water is the principal purifier; when customary cleansing substances are lacking, water mixed with deer-musk is permitted as a means to attain purity."}
Concept: Śauca is maintained by principle (water as purifier) with compassionate allowance (āpaddharma-style substitution) when resources are absent.
Application: Maintain hygiene and ritual eligibility by using the best available purifier; follow the hierarchy of cleansing means rather than abandoning śauca.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Shauca-vidhi (Rules of Purification and Cleanliness)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs purification by washing with water; beside him a small vial of deer-musk is mixed into water as an emergency cleansing substitute.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple tank and washing scene, attendant holding small musk container, clear gesture of mixing into water, calm disciplined expressions, minimal background clutter","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted water pot (kalaśa) and ladle, figure performing ācamana/cleansing, ornate border, sanctified domestic shrine corner","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout showing two options: standard water cleansing and alternative musk-water, labeled vessels, clean lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ewer and basin, fine depiction of musk vial, courtyard setting, emphasis on material culture and cleanliness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛtvodakantu = kṛtvā + udakam + tu. yaddravyaṃ = yat + dravyam. teṣāmabhāve = teṣām + abhāve. mṛgadarpāmbhasā = mṛga-darpa-ambhasā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Śauca-vidhi context; gandha as purifier)
FAQs
It specifies a shauca (purification) rule: water is the primary cleansing medium for substances, and when standard purifiers are unavailable, water infused with deer-musk (mṛga-darpa) can serve as an alternative purifier.
By recording practical dharma-vidhi details—down to substitute cleansing materials—it functions like a procedural manual alongside the Purana’s broader coverage of ritual, law, and applied religious practice.
Maintaining shauca safeguards the validity of worship and rites; following prescribed (or permitted substitute) purification methods supports ritual correctness and reduces impurity-related obstacles in religious observances.