Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 28
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
पीत्वा नवोदकं चैव पञ्चगव्येन शुद्ध्यति शवकूपोदकं पीत्वा त्रिरात्रेण विशुद्ध्यति
pītvā navodakaṃ caiva pañcagavyena śuddhyati śavakūpodakaṃ pītvā trirātreṇa viśuddhyati
饮新汲之水（navodaka）者，以服五牛产（pañcagavya）而得清净。若饮“尸井”之水，则经三夜而全然净化。
Lord Agni (teaching Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determines purification methods and time-frames after drinking fresh water with pañcagavya, and after drinking water from a corpse-associated well (śava-kūpa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śuddhi after drinking navodaka and śava-kūpa water","lookup_keywords":["navodaka","śava-kūpa","pañcagavya","trirātra","śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Fresh water intake is purified by pañcagavya; drinking from a corpse-well requires a three-night observance for complete purification."}
Concept: Purification is graded by the perceived impurity of the source; time (trirātra) functions as a purifier alongside prescribed substances.
Application: When a severe impurity is incurred, adopt a defined time-bound regimen rather than minimal token acts; treat source-contamination as more serious than ordinary intake.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Shaucha (Ritual Purification Rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasted vignettes: (1) a person taking pañcagavya after drinking fresh water; (2) a dark, ominous well marked by a corpse-sign, with the practitioner observing a three-night vow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-scene: bright ‘navodaka’ vessel with lotus motif and a calm practitioner; adjacent darker ‘śava-kūpa’ well with warning symbols, three-night vigil implied by moon phases.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: luminous fresh-water pot with gold work; separate panel with a shadowed well; the practitioner shown in austerity posture, gold accents highlighting the purificatory bowl.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram-like scene labeling navodaka, pañcagavya, and trirātra; gentle palette, clear sequencing of actions over three nights.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: realistic well architecture; attendants keeping distance; the penitent seated with a manuscript noting ‘trirātra’; subtle night-sky progression."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; नवोदकम् treated as karmadhāraya (नवम् उदकम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (time-based expiations: trirātra, etc.)
FAQs
It prescribes specific expiations for impurity from drinking water: purification via pañcagavya for one case, and a three-night purification period for drinking water from a corpse-contaminated well.
It shows the text functioning like a dharma-manual, cataloging practical shaucha and prāyaścitta rules alongside other domains—illustrating the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, encyclopedic coverage of ritual law and daily conduct.
The verse frames impurity from contaminated intake as a karmically relevant fault remediable through defined expiation, restoring ritual eligibility and purity through prescribed cleansing measures.