Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
रजस्वला तु नाश्नीयात् संस्पृष्टा हीनवर्णया यावन्न शुद्धिमाप्नोति शुद्धस्नानेन शुद्ध्यति
rajasvalā tu nāśnīyāt saṃspṛṣṭā hīnavarṇayā yāvanna śuddhimāpnoti śuddhasnānena śuddhyati
Seorang wanita yang sedang haid tidak sepatutnya makan dalam keadaan itu. Jika dia disentuh oleh wanita daripada varṇa yang lebih rendah, hendaklah dia berpantang hingga memperoleh kesucian; dia disucikan melalui mandi penyucian yang sempurna.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Gives conduct restrictions (not eating) during menstruation and prescribes purification by proper bath after contact with lower-varṇa woman.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rajasvalā conduct: abstention from eating and śuddhi after hiṇa-varṇa contact","lookup_keywords":["rajasvalā","na aśnīyāt","hīna-varṇa sparśa","śuddha-snāna","śauca"],"quick_summary":"A menstruating woman is instructed to abstain from eating; if touched by a lower-varṇa woman, she should refrain until purified, which is achieved through a proper purificatory bath."}
Concept: Śauca is maintained through regulated conduct (niyama) and restored through prescribed cleansing acts (snāna) after impurity-contact.
Application: Household observance: manage food/ritual participation restrictions and resolve contact-impurity via formal bathing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Shauca & Ashauca: ritual purity rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A menstruating woman refrains from food; after an impurity-contact, she performs a formal purificatory bath to regain śuddhi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: interior scene with covered food plate set aside; exterior ghat with ritual bath; subdued reds/ochres; emphasis on restraint and cleansing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: iconic figure near a water tank holding a brass lota; food offerings kept untouched; gold embellishments on vessels and borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: didactic depiction of ‘do not eat’ gesture and then ‘śuddha-snāna’; fine ornamentation, clear sequencing, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: domestic chamber with attendants; a meal tray withdrawn; later a garden pavilion with bathing arrangement; intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाश्नीयात् → न + अश्नीयात्; शुद्धिमाप्नोति → शुद्धिम् + आप्नोति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170.33 (udakyā-contact and same-day bath); Agni Purana 170.35 (purification via pañcagavya)
FAQs
It gives a shauca (purity) rule: during menstruation one should refrain from eating, and after certain contact-based impurity one regains ritual purity through a prescribed purificatory bath (śuddha-snāna).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves practical Dharmaśāstra-style regulations on daily conduct, impurity, and purification—showing its wide, encyclopedic coverage of social and ritual norms.
The verse frames purity as a prerequisite for ritual and dharmic living: observing restraint during impurity and completing purification through bathing is presented as restoring eligibility for religious acts and maintaining karmic order.