Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 38
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
द्वार्यश्मनि पदं दत्वा प्रविशेयुस् तथा गृहं अक्षतान्निक्षिपेद्वह्नौ निम्बपत्रं विदश्य च
dvāryaśmani padaṃ datvā praviśeyus tathā gṛhaṃ akṣatānnikṣipedvahnau nimbapatraṃ vidaśya ca
ວາງຕີນລົງເທິງຫີນຂອບປະຕູແລ້ວ ເຂົ້າໄປໃນເຮືອນ. ຄວນໂຍນເຂົ້າສານທີ່ບໍ່ແຕກ (akṣata) ລົງໃນໄຟ ແລະຄວນຂົມກິນໃບນີມ (neem) ດ້ວຍ.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"House-entry and pacificatory conduct after rites: threshold-step protocol, offering akṣata into fire, and neem-leaf chewing as a protective/purificatory measure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gṛha-praveśa after rites: dvāry-aśmanipāda, akṣata-homa, nimba-patra-bhakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["griha-pravesha","dvari-ashmani","aksata","vahni","nimba-patra"],"quick_summary":"On entering the house, step on the threshold-stone, offer unbroken rice into the fire, and chew neem leaf—acts aimed at auspicious re-entry and removal of residual impurity/inauspiciousness."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Śuddhi and śānti through liminal rites: crossing thresholds with awareness, using agni and symbolic substances (akṣata, nimba) to restore auspiciousness.
Application: Perform a simple re-entry rite after inauspicious contact: honor the threshold, make a small offering to fire, and take a purificatory bitter.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Griha-pravesha & Shanti-karmas)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person re-enters the home by stepping on the threshold-stone, offers akṣata into the household fire, and chews a neem leaf as a protective act.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, detailed doorway with stone threshold, figure stepping in, small sacred fire altar inside, akṣata grains falling into flame, neem leaf held to mouth, warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate doorway and lamp-like fire, gold leaf highlighting flames and akṣata, figure in traditional attire, neem leaf detail, auspicious domestic setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional composition: foot on threshold-stone, hand offering akṣata to fire, neem leaf chewing, labeled sequence feel, delicate lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior domestic scene with hearth fire, careful architecture of doorway, realistic rice grains and leaf, gentle light and fine textile patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvāryaśmani = dvāri aśmani; akṣatānnikṣipet = akṣatān nikṣipet; nikṣipedvahnau = nikṣipet vahnau; nimbapatraṃ = nimba-patram.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (śauca and re-entry practices)
FAQs
It prescribes a gṛha-praveśa procedure: stepping onto the doorway threshold-stone before entering, offering akṣata (unbroken rice) into the household fire, and chewing a neem leaf as a purificatory/inauspiciousness-warding act.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical domestic ritual protocols—house-entry, fire-offerings, and household purification—showing its coverage of lived religious practice (śānti, maṅgala, and gṛhya-style observances).
Stepping on the threshold marks a ritually controlled entry, the akṣata-offering invokes auspiciousness through Agni, and neem functions as a traditional purifier—together intended to avert doṣa (inauspicious influences) and establish maṅgala (well-being) for the new dwelling.