Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
तस्यास्त्रिरात्राच्छुद्ध्यन्ति बान्धवा नात्र संशयः समानं लब्धशौचन्तु प्रथमेन समापयेत्
tasyāstrirātrācchuddhyanti bāndhavā nātra saṃśayaḥ samānaṃ labdhaśaucantu prathamena samāpayet
ญาติของนางย่อมบริสุทธิ์หลังครบสามคืน—ไม่ต้องสงสัย แต่ถ้าญาติผู้เสมอกันได้ความบริสุทธิ์แล้วก่อนหน้า พิธีกรรมพึงให้ผู้เป็นหลัก (ผู้ใกล้ชิดที่สุด) เป็นผู้ปิดพิธี
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, the Agni Purana’s typical narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Fixing the impurity duration for relatives and determining who has procedural authority to conclude rites when multiple relatives are involved.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Trirātra-śuddhi for relatives and completion of rites by the foremost mourner","lookup_keywords":["trirātra","bāndhava śuddhi","prathama","śauca","kriyā samāpti"],"quick_summary":"Relatives attain purification after three nights; ritual completion should be carried out under the lead of the nearest/foremost mourner, even if others have already become pure."}
Concept: Ritual order (krama) and rightful agency (adhikāra) matter: purification is timed, and rites are finalized by the primary entitled performer.
Application: In family bereavement, assign the ‘prathama’ (nearest eligible) to conclude śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related observances; others follow the three-night rule without usurping completion authority.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Ashauca-shuddhi (Ritual impurity and purification rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mourning household where multiple relatives gather; a senior/nearest mourner sits at the head with ritual implements while others observe the three-night purification period and defer to him for concluding rites.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: family group in mourning, the prathama mourner centrally placed with darbha and water-pot, others slightly behind indicating deference; muted ochres and reds, stylized faces, temple-like interior framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central seated foremost mourner with gold-highlighted ritual vessels; surrounding relatives in smaller scale, three lamps symbolizing trirātra; ornate border emphasizing procedural hierarchy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional composition—foreground shows ‘prathama’ completing final rite gesture; background shows relatives marking three nights; fine detailing of utensils, calm expressions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard gathering, the principal mourner leading a small rite, others respectfully positioned; delicate architecture, subdued palette, marginal annotation ‘trirātra śuddhi’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्यास्त्रिरात्रात् = तस्याः + त्रिरात्रात्; त्रिरात्राच्छुद्ध्यन्ति = त्रिरात्रात् + शुद्ध्यन्ति (त् + श् → च्छ्); नात्र = न + अत्र; लब्धशौचन्तु (IAST labdhaśaucantu) = लब्धशौचम् + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 157 (kartṛ/adhikāra in śauca context)
FAQs
It states the aśauca (mourning-impurity) purification period for the relatives—three nights—and prescribes that the concluding observance should be finalized under the direction/agency of the primary (nearest) mourner.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana compiles practical dharma norms—here, concise procedural rules for impurity, purification timing, and who is authorized to complete rites—showing its coverage of ritual law and household governance.
It frames purification as a time-bound religious discipline and emphasizes proper ritual authority (the nearest mourner), supporting orderly performance of rites believed to sustain dharma and ensure correctness in post-death observances.