Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 48
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
वर्जयेत्तदहोरात्रं दानश्राद्धादि कामतः शूद्रायाः प्रसवो गेहे शूद्रस्य मरणं तथा
varjayettadahorātraṃ dānaśrāddhādi kāmataḥ śūdrāyāḥ prasavo gehe śūdrasya maraṇaṃ tathā
اگر گھر میں شودرا عورت کا زچگی ہو یا شودر کی موت واقع ہو، تو اس پورے دن اور رات قاعدے کے مطابق دان، شرادھ وغیرہ اعمال سے پرہیز کرنا چاہیے۔
Lord Agni (narrating dharma regulations to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determining temporary restrictions (aśauca/impurity observance) on dāna, śrāddha, and allied rites when birth/death occurs in the household, to avoid ritual invalidity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśauca restriction for dāna-śrāddha upon Śūdra birth/death in the house","lookup_keywords":["aśauca","śūdra-prasava","śūdra-maraṇa","dāna-niṣedha","śrāddha-niṣedha"],"quick_summary":"If a Śūdra woman gives birth in one’s house, or a Śūdra dies there, one should refrain for a full day-night from dāna, śrāddha, and similar rites; this functions as a short aśauca-based restriction to protect ritual purity."}
Concept: Ritual eligibility is time-bound and context-sensitive; household events of birth/death impose temporary restraints on sacred acts.
Application: Use as a decision-rule for when to postpone śrāddha/dāna and resume after the specified period.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Shaucha-Ashaucha (Ritual purity and impurity rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household scene where elders pause ritual giving and śrāddha preparations due to a birth or death event, emphasizing restraint and purity observance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, interior of a traditional house, elders with folded hands halting a śrāddha setup (piṇḍa vessels, darbha), subtle depiction of a birth chamber or mourning corner, earthy palette, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold highlights, a domestic ritual space with a paused śrāddha altar, lamps and vessels set aside, figures in formal poses indicating niṣedha (restraint), ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: a calendar-like day-night marker, a priest advising postponement of dāna/śrāddha, clean lines, soft shading, labeled ritual items kept untouched.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed household courtyard, attendants covering ritual vessels, a messenger reporting birth/death, refined textiles, architectural depth, subdued mourning tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदहोरात्रम् = तत् + अहोरात्रम्; दानश्राद्धादि = दान + श्राद्ध + आदि (समाहार-द्वन्द्व); कामतः अव्यय (तसिल्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (Śauca–Aśauca rules); Agni Purana 159 (Antyeṣṭi/śrāddha-related continuations, if present in the recension)
FAQs
It prescribes an ashaucha-related restriction: for one full day and night, auspicious rites such as dāna and śrāddha should be suspended when childbirth or death of a Śūdra occurs within the household.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana also compiles practical Dharma-shastra material—here, domestic purity law governing when key rituals (dāna, śrāddha) are permitted or paused.
By avoiding major rites during periods of impurity, one protects the intended merit (puṇya) of offerings and ancestral rites, ensuring rituals are performed at ritually fit times for efficacy and purification.