Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
श्रीफलैर् अंशुपट्टानां क्षौमाणाङ्गौरसर्षपैः शोधनाभ्युक्षणाद्वस्त्रे इति घ , ङ च शुद्धिः पर्युक्ष्य तोयेन मृगलोम्नां प्रकीर्तिता
śrīphalair aṃśupaṭṭānāṃ kṣaumāṇāṅgaurasarṣapaiḥ śodhanābhyukṣaṇādvastre iti gha , ṅa ca śuddhiḥ paryukṣya toyena mṛgalomnāṃ prakīrtitā
丝织品（aṃśupaṭṭa）以室利果（śrīphala，椰子）而得净；麻布衣（kṣauma）以淡色芥子（gaura-sarṣapa）经洗涤并洒净水而得净。至于鹿毛之物（mṛga-loma），亦宣说以洒水即成清净。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Material-specific purification methods for textiles and animal-hair items used in domestic and ritual life; guidance for maintaining ritual usability of garments and implements.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Purification of Cloth and Animal-Hair Articles (Silk, Linen, Deer-Hair)","lookup_keywords":["aṃśupaṭṭa","kṣauma","śrīphala","gaura-sarṣapa","mṛga-loma"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes how to purify different materials: silk with coconut, linen with pale mustard via cleansing and sprinkling, and deer-hair items by sprinkling with water. Serves as a practical manual for restoring ritual cleanliness of objects."}
Concept: Purity extends to objects; different substances require different śodhana methods suited to their nature.
Application: When garments/ritual items are contaminated: apply the specified cleansing agent (coconut for silk; pale mustard for linen with washing/sprinkling; water-sprinkling for deer-hair) to restore usability in worship and rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shaucha-vidhi (Ritual Purification of Materials)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household/temple utility scene: different textiles laid out—silk, linen, and deer-hair items—being purified with coconut, pale mustard seeds, and water sprinkling respectively; a priest or householder performs prokṣaṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ritual assistant sprinkling water over deer-hair articles; silk cloth near a coconut; linen cloth with pale mustard seeds in a bowl; stylized vessels and textiles, warm temple palette, clear material contrasts.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly patterned silk cloth with gold accents beside a coconut; linen cloth with mustard seeds; priest sprinkling sanctified water; heavy ornamental borders and gold leaf highlighting textiles and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional still-life arrangement—three materials with their cleansing agents labeled; a hand sprinkling water (prokṣaṇa) shown clearly; fine detailing of fabric textures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier-like domestic courtyard with textiles spread on a carpet; attendant holds coconut and bowl of pale mustard; another sprinkles water over deer-hair items; intricate textile patterns and realistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śrīphalair = śrīphalaiḥ (visarga sandhi); kṣaumāṇāṅgaurasarṣapaiḥ reflects kṣaumāṇām + gaurasarṣapaiḥ; śodhanābhyukṣaṇādvastre = śodhana-abhyukṣaṇāt + vastre; paryukṣya from pari+√ukṣ (lyap).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (object purification context)
FAQs
It prescribes material-specific purification: silk with coconut, linen with pale mustard via cleansing and sprinkling, and deer-hair items purified by sprinkling with water (abhyukṣaṇa/paryukṣaṇa).
It catalogues practical, item-by-item ritual hygiene protocols—showing the text’s handbook-like coverage of applied dharma (shaucha) alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct purification removes ritual impurity (aśauca/doṣa) from worship materials, supporting the validity (śuddhatā) of rites and the merit (puṇya) gained from properly performed offerings.