Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 66
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
शावान्तः शाव आयाते पूर्वाशौचेन शुद्ध्यति गुरुणा लघु बाध्येत लघुना नैव तद्गुरु
śāvāntaḥ śāva āyāte pūrvāśaucena śuddhyati guruṇā laghu bādhyeta laghunā naiva tadguru
若在死亡不净（śāva/mṛtaka）将尽之时，又有他人死亡到来，则仍以先前正在进行的不净期本身而得清净。轻不净为重不净所压制；而重不净不为轻不净所压制。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana dharma sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Handling successive deaths near the end of an impurity period and applying the hierarchy rule: heavier impurity overrides lighter, not vice versa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Successive mṛtaka and hierarchy: guru ashaucha overrides laghu","lookup_keywords":["successive death","shava","ashaucha hierarchy","guru laghu","override rule"],"quick_summary":"If another death occurs at the end of a death-impurity period, purification is achieved by the already-running prior impurity. In conflicts, heavier impurity cancels lighter; lighter cannot cancel heavier."}
Concept: Dharma adjudicates overlapping obligations by a principle of weight (gurutva): the more serious condition governs conduct and timing.
Application: Guides families and priests in scheduling śrāddha, temple duties, and social interactions when multiple bereavements occur close together.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Ashauca & Shuddhi—rules of impurity and purification)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household calendar shows an ending mourning period when a second death message arrives; a visual ‘heavy’ marker overlays a ‘light’ marker to show override, with the priest indicating continuation under the prior ashaucha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, somber domestic scene with messenger at doorway, priest with manuscript, two layered bands (guru over laghu) as symbolic motif, muted reds/ochres, dignified restraint","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central priest and grieving family, gold-bordered timeline bands showing ‘guru’ overriding ‘laghu’, stylized lamps and architectural frame with gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic overlay diagram: ‘laghu’ band crossed by ‘guru’ band, side vignette of second death occurring near period end, fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtyard with mourners, a scribe marking dates, layered ribbons indicating hierarchy, delicate facial expressions and textile detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शावान्तः = शाव + अन्तः; पूर्वाशौचेन = पूर्व + अशौचेन; नैव = न + एव; तद्गुरु = तत् + गुरु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158.64 (mṛtaka precedence); Agni Purana 158.67 (timing within night)
FAQs
It teaches the dharma-technical rule for overlapping death-impurity (āśauca): if a new death occurs near the end of an existing mourning period, the earlier āśauca governs; and in overlaps, the heavier (guru) impurity takes precedence over the lighter (laghu).
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma jurisprudence—precise adjudication rules for ritual purity, showing its coverage of social-legal conduct comparable to Smṛti literature.
It safeguards the correctness of śauca (ritual purity) observance so that rites for the dead and daily religious duties are performed at the proper time, avoiding doṣa (ritual fault) and supporting orderly dharmic life.