Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
द्व्यहेण क्षत्रिये शुद्धिस्त्रिभिर्वैश्ये मृते तथा शुद्धिः शूद्रे पञ्चभिः स्यात् प्राग्विवाहद् द्विषट्त्वहः
dvyaheṇa kṣatriye śuddhistribhirvaiśye mṛte tathā śuddhiḥ śūdre pañcabhiḥ syāt prāgvivāhad dviṣaṭtvahaḥ
ເມື່ອ ກະສັດຕຣິຍະ (Kṣatriya) ເສຍຊີວິດ ການບໍລິສຸດໄດ້ໃນ 2 ມື້; ເມື່ອ ໄວສະຍະ (Vaiśya) ເສຍຊີວິດ ໃນ 3 ມື້; ແລະເມື່ອ ຊູດຣະ (Śūdra) ເສຍຊີວິດ ໃນ 5 ມື້. ແຕ່ກ່ອນການແຕ່ງງານ ອະສຸດຈາກຄວາມຕາຍມີໄລຍະ 12 ມື້.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s dominant narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Provides graded āśauca durations by varṇa for death impurity and a special rule for pre-marriage status; used to determine when rites, study, and social/temple participation may resume.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Varṇa-wise āśauca (death): 2/3/5 days; pre-marriage 12 days","lookup_keywords":["kṣatriya","vaiśya","śūdra","dvāha-trirātra-pañcāha","prāg-vivāha dvādaśāha"],"quick_summary":"Sets death-impurity durations: 2 days (Kṣatriya), 3 days (Vaiśya), 5 days (Śūdra); but before marriage, the impurity period is 12 days."}
Concept: Ritual discipline is graded by social duty and life-stage (pre-marriage), aiming at orderly restoration of adhikāra (eligibility) for rites.
Application: Apply the correct day-count for household restrictions and resumption of nitya/naimittika karmas; treat pre-marriage cases with the longer 12-day observance as stated.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashaucha & Shaucha: rules of impurity and purification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-teacher points to a board listing 2/3/5-day śauca for Kṣatriya/Vaiśya/Śūdra, and a separate note ‘pre-marriage: 12 days’; householders listen in a veranda setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guru in traditional attire indicating a palm-leaf chart with numerals 2,3,5,12; listeners of different social roles seated respectfully; strong outlines, temple-courtyard ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central seated teacher with gold halo-like ornamentation (non-deity), ornate frame; stylized chart showing 2/3/5 and 12; rich reds and gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: clean instructional tableau with labeled durations beside figures; emphasis on clarity and pedagogy, delicate colors and fine brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with a scribe holding a scroll listing day counts; architectural arches and carpets; subtle differentiation of attendees, precise detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kambhoji","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुद्धिस्त्रिभिर्वैश्ये → शुद्धिः + त्रिभिः + वैश्ये; प्राग्विवाहद् → प्राक् + विवाहात् (phonetic assimilation in transmission); द्विषट्त्वहः is a dvigu numeral compound (द्वि+षट्+अहन्) meaning 12 days.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (varṇa and life-stage based śauca rules); Agni Purana dharma sections on saṃskāras (vivāha context)
FAQs
It specifies graded time-periods for the cessation of death-impurity (aśauca) and the attainment of ritual purification (śuddhi) for different varṇas, and notes a distinct rule of twelve days prior to marriage.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical dharma-norms—such as aśauca and śauca regulations—functioning like a compendium that includes social-ritual law comparable to Dharmaśāstra material.
Observing the prescribed aśauca period is treated as maintaining ritual and moral order (dharma), ensuring eligibility for rites (e.g., worship, śrāddha, saṃskāras) and preventing the religious fault (doṣa) associated with performing sacred acts while impure.