Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 2
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
जनने च तथा शुद्धिर्ब्राह्मणानां भृगूत्तम द्वादशाहेन राजन्यः पक्षाद्वैश्यो ऽथ मासतः
janane ca tathā śuddhirbrāhmaṇānāṃ bhṛgūttama dvādaśāhena rājanyaḥ pakṣādvaiśyo 'tha māsataḥ
तसेच जननाच्या प्रसंगी, हे भृगूत्तम, ब्राह्मणांची शुद्धि (दहा दिवसांत), क्षत्रियाची बारा दिवसांत, वैश्याची पंधरा दिवसांत (पक्षात), आणि शूद्राची एका महिन्यात होते।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing a Bhṛgu-sage (e.g., Bhṛgu/Bhṛgūttama)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Applying varṇa-specific time periods for purification after childbirth (sūtikā-śauca/śuddhi) in household ritual scheduling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Varṇa-wise śuddhi periods after childbirth","lookup_keywords":["sūtikā-śuddhi","janana-śauca","brāhmaṇa","kṣatriya","vaiśya-śūdra"],"quick_summary":"Childbirth-related purification is completed after different durations by social class: brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra—used to regulate participation in rites and temple activities."}
Concept: Ritual eligibility (adhikāra) is time-conditioned after birth events; śuddhi restores participation in sacred acts.
Application: Families plan saṃskāras, pūjā, and community rites only after the stated śuddhi period concludes.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Shauca/Ashauca & Social Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A chart-like teaching scene showing different purification durations after childbirth for different varṇas; a household with a newborn observes seclusion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic courtyard with mother and newborn in a quiet corner, elder reciting rules, visual bands indicating time periods, warm earthy tones, dignified restraint","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-bordered panel with four labeled groups and their day-counts, shrine in background, auspicious yet restrained mood, ornate but orderly composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional tableau: neat grid listing brāhmaṇa/kṣatriya/vaiśya/śūdra with day counts, gentle figures in profile, clear calligraphic labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with women’s quarters, elder explaining a small written schedule, attendants, delicate depiction of postpartum seclusion and household order"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुद्धिर्ब्राह्मणानां = शुद्धिः + ब्राह्मणानाम्; पक्षाद्वैश्यो = पक्षात् + वैश्यः (त् + व् → द्व्); 'थ = अथ (avagraha after -o in vaiśyo 'tha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (sūtikā-śuddhi rules continuing)
FAQs
It specifies the janana-śauca (post-childbirth impurity/purification) periods by varṇa—timetables after which one is ritually fit again for worship, rites, and social-religious duties.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana preserves practical Dharma-shastra material—codified rules of purity that function like a handbook for household and ritual life.
Observing the prescribed purification period is treated as maintaining śauca (ritual discipline), supporting orderly performance of dharma and avoiding ritual fault (doṣa) in subsequent rites.