Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 1
अध्याय १६२ — धर्मशास्त्रकथनम्
Dharmaśāstra Exposition: Authorities, Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti, Upākarman, and Anadhyāya Rules
आग्रत्स्वप्नसुसुप्त्यान्तमुक्तमिति ङ , छ , ञ च इत्य् आग्नेये अशौचनिर्णय इत्य् आदिः, सत्यमानन्दमद्वयमित्यन्तः पाठो ग पुस्तके नास्ति अथ द्विषष्ट्यधिकशततमो ऽध्यायः धर्मशास्त्रकथनं पुष्कर उवाच मनुर्विष्णुर्याज्ञवल्को हारीतो ऽत्रिर्यमो ऽङिगिराः वसिष्ठदक्षसंवर्तशातातपपराशराः
āgratsvapnasusuptyāntamuktamiti ṅa , cha , ña ca ity āgneye aśaucanirṇaya ity ādiḥ, satyamānandamadvayamityantaḥ pāṭho ga pustake nāsti atha dviṣaṣṭyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ dharmaśāstrakathanaṃ puṣkara uvāca manurviṣṇuryājñavalko hārīto 'triryamo 'ṅigirāḥ vasiṣṭhadakṣasaṃvartaśātātapaparāśarāḥ
‘ಜಾಗ್ರತ್, ಸ್ವಪ್ನ, ಸುಷುಪ್ತಿ’ ಎಂಬ ಪದಾಂತವರೆಗೆ ಇಂತೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ—ಎಂದು (ಙ, ಛ, ಞ) ಪಾಠಭೇದಗಳು ಓದುತ್ತವೆ. ಆಗ್ನೇಯ (ಅಗ್ನಿ ಪುರಾಣ)ದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರಂಭ ‘ಅಶೌಚನಿರ್ಣಯ’ದಿಂದ; ‘ಸತ್ಯ, ಆನಂದ, ಅದ್ವಯ’ ಎಂಬ ಅಂತ್ಯಪಾಠ ‘ಗ’ ಹಸ್ತಪ್ರತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಈಗ ಆರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ 162ನೇ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯ—‘ಧರ್ಮಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಕಥನ’. ಪುಷ್ಕರನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಮನು, ವಿಷ್ಣು, ಯಾಜ್ಞವಲ್ಕ್ಯ, ಹಾರೀತ, ಅತ್ರಿ, ಯಮ, ಅಂಗಿರಸ್, ವಸಿಷ್ಠ, ದಕ್ಷ, ಸಂವರ್ತ, ಶಾತಾತಪ, ಪರಾಶರ (ಇವರು ಪ್ರಮಾಣಾಚಾರ್ಯರು).
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Establishes smṛti-authorities for dharma and frames the chapter’s jurisprudential method; also notes manuscript/recension variants—useful for textual criticism and correct ritual/legal application (e.g., aśauca determinations).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Smṛti-Authorities for Dharma (Manu to Parāśara) and Textual Recension Note","lookup_keywords":["aśauca-nirṇaya","smṛti-pramāṇa","manu","yājñavalkya","parāśara"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the Dharmaśāstra chapter by listing principal smṛti authorities and preserves a note on recension differences, signaling that dharma rulings (like aśauca) depend on reliable textual transmission."}
Concept: Pramāṇa in dharma: smṛti authorities and stable textual readings are foundational for determining conduct rules (notably aśauca).
Application: When resolving purity/impurity and conduct disputes, consult recognized smṛti lineages and verify readings across recensions/manuscripts before applying rulings.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Aśauca & Smṛti-Authorities)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scholastic assembly at Puṣkara: sages seated with palm-leaf manuscripts; a narrator introduces the Dharmaśāstra chapter and enumerates authorities; marginal notes show variant readings (recensions) like a scribe’s colophon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sage Puṣkara speaking to a circle of ṛṣis, palm-leaf bundles and stylus, temple-tank backdrop suggesting Puṣkara tīrtha, warm ochres, bold outlines, manuscript-variant motifs as decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated sages with gold halos, ornate manuscript stand, central speaker gesturing as names of smṛti-kāras appear on scroll-like bands, rich gold work and symmetrical court-like assembly","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional scholarly scene: scribe comparing two manuscripts, side-notes indicating ‘ṅ/छ/ञ’ recensions, calm classroom-like setting with fine linework and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, learned majlis with scholars on carpets, stacks of manuscripts, one scholar pointing to marginal variants, architectural pavilion and waterbody hinting at Puṣkara, intricate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: o 'sau etc. not present here; ity āgneye = iti + āgneye; ity ādiḥ = iti + ādiḥ; ityantaḥ = iti + antaḥ; dviṣaṣṭyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ = ... + adhyāyaḥ; manurviṣṇur... = manuḥ + viṣṇuḥ + ...; hārīto 'triḥ = hārītaḥ + atriḥ; yamo 'ṅgirāḥ = yamaḥ + aṅgirāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 162 (Dharmaśāstra-kathana) opening; aśauca-nirṇaya section that follows; Agni Purana earlier śauca/prāyaścitta discussions in vrata context
FAQs
It introduces Dharmaśāstra instruction by citing Smṛti authorities and signals that the chapter’s subject begins with aśauca-nirṇaya—practical rules for ritual impurity and purification.
By anchoring its legal/ritual section in a recognized corpus of Smṛti authors (Manu, Yājñavalkya, Parāśara, etc.) and preserving textual-variant notes, it shows the Purāṇa functioning as a compendium of jurisprudence, ritual practice, and scholarly transmission.
Correct handling of aśauca safeguards ritual eligibility and purity, ensuring that rites (śrāddha, dāna, pūjā) are performed in a dharmically valid manner, which is held to preserve merit (puṇya) and avoid ritual fault (doṣa).