Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 35
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
न च शूद्रं द्विजेनापि तयोर्दोषो हि जायते अनाथविप्रप्रेतस्य वहनात् स्वरगलोकभाक्
na ca śūdraṃ dvijenāpi tayordoṣo hi jāyate anāthaviprapretasya vahanāt svaragalokabhāk
ദ്വിജനും ശൂദ്രനെ ഒഴിവാക്കരുത്; ഇരുവർക്കും ദോഷം ഉണ്ടാകുന്നില്ല. അനാഥ ബ്രാഹ്മണന്റെ പ്രേതദേഹം വഹിക്കുന്നവൻ സ്വർഗ്ഗലോകഭാഗി ആകുന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating dharma and rites to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for conduct during funerary assistance: social interaction rules (non-avoidance) and merit of helping in an unprotected Brahmin’s cremation logistics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Anātha-brāhmaṇa-preta-vahana: merit and non-fault with Śūdra contact","lookup_keywords":["anatha","preta-vahana","shudra-sparsha","dvija","svarga-phala"],"quick_summary":"During funerary exigencies, a twice-born should not shun a Śūdra; no mutual fault arises. Carrying the body of an unprotected deceased Brāhmaṇa yields heavenly merit."}
Concept: Apaddharma in funerary service: compassionate duty overrides avoidance; intention and service remove fault and generate puṇya.
Application: Assist in last rites for the unprotected without discrimination; prioritize completion of necessary rites.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Antyeṣṭi-vidhi (Funeral rites and merit of charitable services)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A funeral procession where a twice-born man and a Śūdra together carry the bier of an unprotected deceased Brāhmaṇa toward the cremation ground, emphasizing service and non-avoidance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, solemn antyeṣṭi procession, bier carried by mixed-caste helpers, sacred thread visible, cremation ground with trees and riverbank, calm shanta mood, traditional ornamented borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, dignified funeral service scene, bier with white cloth, attendants in traditional dhoti, subtle halo-like gold around the idea of dharma/puṇya, minimal background, iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional depiction of proper conduct: dvija not avoiding śūdra, carrying the body respectfully, labels implied by gestures, muted palette, emphasis on ritual propriety","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed procession with attendants, landscape of śmaśāna outskirts, expressive faces showing compassion, careful textiles, balanced composition, subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvijenāpi = dvijena api; tayordoṣo = tayoḥ doṣaḥ; anāthaviprapretasya = anātha-vipra-pretasya (tatpuruṣa); svaragalokabhāk = svarga-loka-bhāk.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (Antyeṣṭi/Śrāddha context)
FAQs
It teaches an antyeṣṭi (funerary) rule: assisting in the transport of an unprotected deceased Brāhmaṇa is not a source of ritual fault (doṣa) even when a Śūdra is involved; the act is meritorious.
Alongside theology and praise, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma guidance—here, a specific social-ritual protocol for funeral logistics and purity—showing its coverage of lived religious law and community duties.
The verse frames compassionate public service in funerary contexts as puṇya-producing: carrying the body of an abandoned (anātha) deceased Brāhmaṇa leads to svarga, while also removing fear of impurity-based blame.