Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Purification Concerning the Unsanctified
Asaṃskṛta) and Related Cases (असंस्कृतादिशौचम्
मृतो ऽपि बान्धवः शक्तो नानुगन्तुं नरं मृतं जायावर्जं हि सर्वस्य याम्यः पन्था विभिद्यते
mṛto 'pi bāndhavaḥ śakto nānugantuṃ naraṃ mṛtaṃ jāyāvarjaṃ hi sarvasya yāmyaḥ panthā vibhidyate
मृत झालेला बंधूही मृत पुरुषासोबत जाऊ शकत नाही. पत्नी वगळता सर्वांचा याम्य पंथ (यममार्ग) वेगळा होतो।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"In bereavement and funerary planning, recognize the doctrine of individual post-death journey; emphasize personal rites and spousal duties/connection as specially noted.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Separation on the Yāmya Path; Wife as Exception","lookup_keywords":["Yāmya panthā","path to Yama","antyeṣṭi","bandhu","jāyā"],"quick_summary":"The verse states that even deceased relatives cannot accompany the dead; each being’s southern path to Yama diverges, with the wife singled out as the exception."}
Concept: Post-death journey is ultimately solitary; worldly relations cannot accompany, underscoring the primacy of one’s own karma and rites.
Application: Cultivate dharma and complete prescribed rites without assuming familial ‘carrying’ beyond death; support spouse-centered duties where tradition assigns them.
Khanda Section: Preta-karma & Antyeshti-vidhi (Funerary rites and the path after death)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic forked road leading south toward Yama’s realm; a lone departing soul on one path, shadowy relatives unable to follow; the wife stands closest, depicted as the only permitted companion in the imagery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized southern road with guardian figures, departing soul, relatives halted, wife near the threshold, strong outlines and symbolic motifs of Yama","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, allegorical scene with gold-highlighted path markers, Yama’s emblem in distance, wife figure emphasized with ornate yet restrained dignity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional allegory of diverging paths, labeled elements (subtle), gentle colors, focus on narrative clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with a branching road, expressive family group, distant Yama court hinted, refined linework and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मृतो ऽपि = मृतः अपि; नानुगन्तुं = न अनुगन्तुम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Preta-kriyā and śrāddha discussions; Agni Purana: Yama/after-death cosmology passages
FAQs
It conveys a preta-gati principle used in antyeṣṭi/preta-karma teaching: the departed proceeds on Yama’s path alone, with the wife treated as the sole exceptional companion in this doctrinal framing.
Alongside ritual procedures, the Agni Purana also records doctrinal explanations of the post-death journey (Yāmya-mārga), integrating metaphysics, dharma, and social roles (such as the wife’s status) into its wide-ranging compendium.
It stresses the individuality of karma at death—relations cannot share one’s afterlife passage—highlighting personal accountability, while also underscoring the uniquely binding dharmic tie of spousehood.