Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 39
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
पृथक् शयीरन् भूमौ च क्रीतलब्धाशनो भवेत् एकः पिण्दो दशाहे तु श्मश्रुकर्मकरः शुचिः
pṛthak śayīran bhūmau ca krītalabdhāśano bhavet ekaḥ piṇdo daśāhe tu śmaśrukarmakaraḥ śuciḥ
ସେ ପୃଥକ ଶୋଇବ ଏବଂ ଭୂମିରେ ଶୟନ କରିବ, ଏବଂ କେବଳ କିଣି ପାଇଥିବା ଅନ୍ନରେ ନିର୍ବାହ କରିବ। ଦଶ ଦିନ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗୋଟିଏ ପିଣ୍ଡ (ନିୟତ ଆହାର) ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିବ; ଶ୍ମଶ୍ରୁକର୍ମ (କ୍ଷୌର) କରିଲେ ସେ ଶୁଚି ହୁଏ।
Lord Agni (in narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ten-day aśauca discipline: separate sleeping, ground-bed, regulated diet, measured intake (single piṇḍa), and shaving to regain ritual purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daśāha-śauca regimen: separate sleeping, ground-bed, regulated food, piṇḍa-measure, śmaśru-karma","lookup_keywords":["ashauca","dashaha","prithak-shayana","bhumi-shayana","shmashru-karma"],"quick_summary":"During the ten-day impurity period, maintain austerity and restraint—sleep apart on the ground, eat regulated food, and complete shaving/tonsure; after the prescribed observances, purity is restored."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Śauca is restored through time-bound niyamas and bodily markers (śmaśru-karma) coupled with restrained living.
Application: Observe the ten-day regimen consistently to avoid extended impurity and to re-enter daily rites and social obligations properly.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Shauca-vidhi (Ashauca and funeral-observance discipline)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mourner lives austerely for ten days: sleeping separately on the ground, eating a measured single piṇḍa portion, and finally undergoing shaving/tonsure to mark purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, simple interior with mat on floor, solitary sleeper apart, small measured food portion shown, barber performing shaving rite, subdued colors and quiet mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, iconic austerity scene with gold accents minimal: ground-bed, small food ball, shaving rite as central purification moment, calm symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step didactic panel: separate sleeping, ground-bed, purchased food, single piṇḍa, śmaśru-karma; fine linework and clear sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate domestic austerity, detailed textiles and utensils, barber scene with precision, restrained palette reflecting mourning"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: krītalabdhāśanaḥ = krīta-labdha-aśanaḥ (dvandva + tatpuruṣa relation to aśana); daśāhe = daśa-āhe (time-compound lexicalized).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (aśauca rules; post-funeral conduct)
FAQs
It prescribes ashauca-era discipline: sleeping separately on the ground, eating only purchased food, limiting intake to a single piṇḍa portion during the ten-day period, and completing the shaving rite as part of purification.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana codifies practical dharma topics—here, detailed rules for mourning-period conduct and ritual purity—showing its coverage of social-religious law (shauca/ashauca) alongside other sciences and arts.
The restraints (separation, simplicity, regulated food) and the shaving rite function as prescribed means to end impurity and restore eligibility for religious acts, aligning personal conduct with dharmic purification after a death-related defilement.