Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 58
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
अशौचं द्रव्यशुद्धिश् च प्रायश्चित्तं प्रदर्शितं राजधर्मा दानधर्मा व्रतानि विविधानि च
aśaucaṃ dravyaśuddhiś ca prāyaścittaṃ pradarśitaṃ rājadharmā dānadharmā vratāni vividhāni ca
अशौचं द्रव्यशुद्धिश्च प्रायश्चित्तं प्रदर्शितम्। राजधर्मा दानधर्मा व्रतानि विविधानि च॥
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Purāṇic instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Apply rules of impurity and purification, perform prāyaścitta when required, and follow rājadharma and dāna-dharma guidelines; undertake specific vratas for ethical discipline and merit.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśauca, Dravya-śuddhi, Prāyaścitta; Rājadharma, Dāna, and Vratas","lookup_keywords":["aśauca","dravya-śuddhi","prāyaścitta","rājadharma","vrata"],"quick_summary":"Outlines the dharmic toolkit: managing impurity, purifying possessions, expiating faults, and practicing governance ethics, charity norms, and vow-observances."}
Concept: Dharma as regulation of body/social life through purity rules, expiation, righteous kingship, charity, and vows.
Application: Before rites and social transactions, verify aśauca status; purify goods per rule; choose proportionate prāyaścitta; practice dāna and vratas as ongoing self-governance.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dharmashastra (Purity, Expiations, Gifts, and Vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-teacher instructs: one panel shows purification of vessels and goods; another shows a penitent performing prāyaścitta; a king dispensing justice; devotees giving dāna and observing vratas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, segmented narrative frieze: śuddhi with water and kuśa, prāyaścitta with fire-offering, king on throne with attendants, devotees fasting with lamps; bold outlines, temple palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central seated Dharma/ṛṣi with gold halo; surrounding medallions: dāna scene with gold highlights, vrata worship with lamps, kingly court; ornate gold work and rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional vignettes labeled: aśauca period marking, dravya-śuddhi steps, prāyaścitta homa, rājadharma court scene, vrata pūjā; clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court and domestic scenes: king adjudicating, household purification, ascetic penance; fine architectural interiors, delicate figures, calligraphic captions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्रव्यशुद्धिश्→द्रव्यशुद्धिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana aśauca and śuddhi chapters; Agni Purana prāyaścitta sections; Agni Purana rājadharma/nīti portions; Agni Purana dāna and vrata catalogues
FAQs
It catalogs core Dharmashastra topics taught here: rules of aśauca (ritual impurity), methods of dravya-śuddhi (purifying substances/possessions), and prāyaścitta (expiatory rites), along with practical norms for governance, charity, and vow-observances.
Rather than a single-topic scripture, the Agni Purana maps multiple applied disciplines—ritual purity, legal-ethical expiation, political governance (rājadharma), philanthropy (dāna), and religious observances (vrata)—showing its broad, handbook-like scope.
It frames purity, restitution, and expiation as actionable means to restore dharma: removing impurity, correcting faults through prāyaścitta, and accruing merit through righteous rule, charitable giving, and disciplined vows.