Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
यच्छेषं दशरात्रस्य तावदेवशुचिर्भवेत् अतीते दशरात्रे तु त्रिरात्रमशुचिर्भवेत्
yaccheṣaṃ daśarātrasya tāvadevaśucirbhavet atīte daśarātre tu trirātramaśucirbhavet
Pela parte que ainda resta do período de dez noites, permanece-se impuro exatamente por esse mesmo tempo. Mas, se as dez noites já tiverem decorrido, então a impureza dura três noites.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in dharma topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Computing residual impurity duration precisely (pro-rata remainder of ten nights; otherwise three nights) for correct scheduling of rites and social restrictions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Residual daśarātra rule and fallback trirātra āśauca","lookup_keywords":["daśarātra śeṣa","trirātra","āśauca gaṇanā","śuddhi kāla","niyama"],"quick_summary":"If one enters the ten-night impurity window late, impurity lasts only for the remaining portion; if the ten nights have already passed, a three-night impurity applies."}
Concept: Dharma is sensitive to time and circumstance; obligations are calibrated (not excessive) by precise temporal computation.
Application: Use this rule to calculate when to resume agnihotra/pujā, temple entry, and communal meals after receiving delayed news of an impurity-causing event.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra / Āśauca-vidhi (Impurity and purification regulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic domestic scene with a ten-mark timeline; a person learns of an event mid-way and observes impurity only for the remaining days; alternate panel shows three-night observance when ten nights have already elapsed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symbolic timeline as ten oil lamps on a wall, some already extinguished; figure counting remaining lamps; secondary trio of lamps for trirātra; warm tones, stylized gestures of counting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-embossed timeline of ten lamps with remaining lamps highlighted; three-lamp motif for trirātra; household figure with water-pot and prayer beads, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional chart-like painting—ten-day bar with ‘śeṣa’ portion shaded; separate three-day bar; fine linework, clear labels, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: indoor scene with a clerk-like figure marking days on a scroll/calendar; lamps indicating nights; second vignette with three-night observance; detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यच्छेषं = यत् + शेषम् (त् + श् → च्छ्); तावदेव = तावत् + एव; एवशुचिः = एव + शुचिः; शुचिर्भवेत् = शुचिः + भवेत्; त्रिरात्रमशुचिः = त्रिरात्रम् + अशुचिः; अशुचिर्भवेत् = अशुचिः + भवेत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (time-counting in āśauca)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for computing the duration of ritual impurity (āśauca): if the ten-night term is ongoing, impurity lasts only for the remaining balance; if that term has already passed, a fresh three-night impurity is observed.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana includes applied dharma regulations—time-bound rules for purity/impurity that govern daily ritual eligibility, social conduct, and household practice.
Observing the correct āśauca period preserves ritual integrity and is treated as a form of self-discipline (niyama), supporting purity of conduct and preventing ritual fault (doṣa) in religious acts.