Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 16
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
मरणादेव कर्तव्यं संयोगो यस्य नाग्निभिः दाहादूर्ध्वमशौचं स्याद्यस्य वैतानिको विधिः
maraṇādeva kartavyaṃ saṃyogo yasya nāgnibhiḥ dāhādūrdhvamaśaucaṃ syādyasya vaitāniko vidhiḥ
ສຳລັບຜູ້ທີ່ບໍ່ມີການຜູກພັນກັບໄຟບູຊາອັນສັກສິດ ການຖືປະຕິບັດທີ່ຈຳເປັນເລີ່ມຈາກຂະນະຕາຍເທົ່ານັ້ນ; ແຕ່ສຳລັບຜູ້ທີ່ຖືວິທີ vaitānika (ພິທີໄຟ śrauta) ອະເສົາຈະນັບຫຼັງຈາກເຜົາສົບແລ້ວ.
Lord Agni (teaching the dharma/ritual regulations in the Agni Purana narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Correctly starting the aśauca count depending on whether the deceased maintained śrauta fires (vaitānika) or not—important for timing rites, restrictions, and resumption of agni-related duties.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśauca start-point: from death vs after cremation (vaitānika)","lookup_keywords":["vaitānika","agni-saṃyoga","dāha","aśauca ārambha","antyeṣṭi"],"quick_summary":"If there is no connection with sacred fires, observance begins at death; for a vaitānika (śrauta-fire follower), aśauca is counted after cremation, aligning impurity-count with śrauta protocol."}
Concept: Ritual status is conditioned by one’s sacrificial regimen; śrauta affiliation (vaitānika) changes procedural counting without changing the goal of śuddhi.
Application: In families maintaining śrauta fires, begin counting aśauca after dāha; otherwise begin immediately at death for scheduling śrāddha and restrictions.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Antyeṣṭi & Aśauca-vidhi / Funeral rites and impurity rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasted ritual timelines: (1) a simple household without śrauta fires beginning observance at the moment of death; (2) a vaitānika household with visible sacred fires and cremation, with aśauca counted after dāha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with twin scenes: left a quiet deathbed and immediate aśauca markers; right a śrauta altar with three fires, priests, and cremation rite, earthy palette and ritual precision.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted śrauta fire altars (āhavanīya/gārhapatya/dakṣiṇa), cremation pyre in background, priest indicating ‘count after dāha’, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic diagram overlaying scenes: arrows from ‘maraṇa’ to ‘aśauca’ for non-agni, and from ‘dāha’ to ‘aśauca’ for vaitānika; fine linework and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature showing a cremation ground with attendants and priests, and an inset of a domestic śrauta fire-altar, careful architectural detail, subdued solemn tone."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मरणात् + एव → मरणादेव (त् + ए → दे). न + अग्निभिः → नाग्निभिः (अग्रहण-सन्धि). दाहात् + ऊर्ध्वम् → दाहादूर्ध्वम् (त् + ऊ → दू). स्यात् + यस्य → स्याद्यस्य (त् + य → द्य).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (antyeṣṭi/aśauca timing)
FAQs
It states the technical rule for when aśauca (ritual impurity) is reckoned: from death for those without sacred-fire obligation, but from after cremation for those observing the vaitānika (śrauta-fire) system.
It preserves a precise dharma-ritual distinction (ordinary householders vs śrauta fire-keepers), showing the text’s coverage of legal-ritual timing rules alongside many other disciplines.
Correctly timing aśauca safeguards ritual purity and proper performance of post-death duties, ensuring the rites are done in conformity with dharma and thereby support auspicious karmic order for family and departed.