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Line 61: − − == मृताशौचनिर्णयः॥ Determining Mrta-Asoucha == − Asoucha vidhis, explained below, are based on various factors with varying number of days of Asoucha prescribed for each kind of situation. Factors involved in the vidhis are one or a combination of the following − * whether death was of a family (maternal or paternal) member or of a relative − * the generation to which the person belongs to in the lineage − * the ashrama of the person − * the gender of the person (male or female) − * whether the dead was cremated (दहनम्) or buried (खनन्म्) − * whether the person who died has undergone has undergone any samskara such as Namakarana, Chudakarma and specifically the Upanayana samskara − * time of hearing the news of death (number of hours or days elapsed since death) − * place where the death of the person happened (nearby or far off in distant lands) − * natural or unnatural death (falling off, snake-bite, drowning etc) − * − Further Asoucha is of many kinds of which a few are mentioned as follows<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>सद्यश्शौचं तथैकाहस्त्र्यहश्चतुरहस्तथा षड्दशद्वादशाहश्च पक्षो मासस्तथैव च। मरणान्तं तथा चान्यद्दश पक्षास्तु सूतके। </blockquote>Asoucha is ordained to be one of instant removal (सद्यश्शौचम्) one (एकाहाशौचम्), three (त्र्यहः), four (चतुरहः), six (षडहः), ten (दशाहः) twelve days (द्वादशदिन), fifteen days (पक्षाशौचम् , one month (मासाशौचम्) etc and persists even until the death of a person (मरणान्ताशौचम्). − − === सद्यश्शौचम् ॥ Sadyasoucha === − Asoucha is removed almost instantly in some situations. Example, in cases of non-sapinda relatives, on hearing the news of the death of a family member, asoucham is removed on taking a sachela snanam - snana (taking a bath) with the clothes at that instant on hearing the news. Another example is when relatives visit a family in the ten-day bereavement, upon returning home their Asoucha is removed with a bath immediately. <blockquote>भृग्वग्निमरणे चैव देशान्तरमृते तथा । बाले प्रेते च संन्यस्ते सद्यः शौचं विधीयते ॥ ३.12 ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.12)<ref name=":2">The Smriti Sandarbha (1988) ''Collection of the Four Dharmashastric Texts by Maharshies. Vol. 2.'' Delhi: Nag Publishers. (Page 633-)</ref></blockquote>A rshi undertaking penance in forest, due to age or inability to continue the tapas (due to health reasons) may choose death either by jumping off a cliff (भृगुमरणम्) or by entering fire (अग्निमरणम्). In the above two situations (of भृग्वग्निमरण), death in places far off from non-native country, in infant's and sanyasi's death, shuddhi happens on taking a bath instantly on hearing the news.<blockquote>दशरात्रेष्वतीतेषु त्रिरात्राच्छुद्धिरिष्यते । ततः सम्वत्सरादूद्र्ध्वं सचैलं स्नानमाचरेत्॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.13)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>If the news of death arrives anytime after the tenth day has passed (i.e., on the 11th day) but within one year, then asoucha has to be observed for three days. But according to present day aacharas, this rule is not being followed and people are opting for sadyasoucha only instead of observing the three-day asoucha. If news of death is heard after a year of passing of the person then sadyashuddhi is by Sachela snanam. <blockquote>देशान्तरमृतः कश्चित्सगोत्रः श्रूयते यदि । न त्रिरात्रं अहोरात्रं सद्यः स्नात्वा शुचिर्भवेत् ॥ ३.१4 ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.14)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>If information arrives that a person of the same lineage (sagotra) has died in a country other than his native land — then the rule of three days or of one day does not apply, the relatives are purified by bathing themselves on that very day. − − === एकाहाशौचम् ॥ Ekaaha Asoucham === − Asoucha is for one day. − − एकाहाच्छुध्यते विप्रो योऽग्निवेदसमन्वितः । (Para. Smrt. 3.5)<ref name=":2" /> A Brahman who has studied the Veda, and likewise keeps the sacred household fire, is restored to soucha in a single day. − − Such a situation is extremely rare in the present society as Brahmanas who are studying Vedas and maintaining the Agni at home are extremely few in number. As it is extremely uncommon many in the general society are unaware of such situations. − − === त्रिरात्राशौचम् चतुरहाशौचम् षण्णिशाशौचम् च॥ Asoucha for three, four and six days === − Asoucha is for three, four and six days respectively in the following cases. <blockquote>त्र्यहात्केवलवेदस्तु द्विहीनो दशभिर्दिनैः ॥ ३.५ ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.5)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>He who has the knowledge of the Veda alone will recover purity in three days ; while he who is without either the Veda or the fire, will remain with Asoucha till ten days are over.<blockquote>चतुर्थे दशरात्रं स्यात्षण्णिशाः पुंसि पञ्चमे । षष्ठे चतुरहाच्छुद्धिः सप्तमे तु दिनत्रयात् ॥ ३.10॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.10)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>For the fourth generation person, ten days of sutaka is to be followed. For the '''fifth generation''' person he should observe six nights of Asoucha (i.e., 7th day). For the '''sixth generation''' person, shuddi will be after four days (i.e., on the 5th day). For the '''seventh generation''' person, shuddhi will be after three days (i.e., on the 4th day). − − === दशदिनाशौचम् ॥ Dasadina Asoucham === − Asoucha for ten days is presently the widely followed system. <blockquote>एकाहाच्छुध्यते विप्रो योऽग्निवेदसमन्वितः । त्र्यहात्केवलवेदस्तु द्विहीनो दशभिर्दिनैः ॥ ३.5 ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.5)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>A Brahman who has studied the Veda, and likewise keeps the sacred household fire, is restored to purity in a single day ; he who has the knowledge of the Veda alone will recover purity in three days ; while he who is without either the Veda or the fire, will have Asoucha till ten days are over.<blockquote>जन्मकर्मपरिभ्रष्टः संध्योपासनवर्जितः । नामधारकविप्रस्तु दशाहं सूतकी भवेत् ॥ ३.6 ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.6)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>A Brahman who has never received the purificatory rites prescribed from the day of birth, who neglects to perform the threefold daily prayers (sandhya), who is a Brahman in name alone — must observe ten days of Asoucha on account of a birth or death.<blockquote>एकपिण्डास्तु दायादाः पृथग्दारनिकेतनाः । जन्मन्यपि विपत्तौ च तेषां तत्सूतकं भवेत् ॥ ३.7 ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.7)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Even if the Dayadis (one who are sagotras and sapindas) have separate homes and their families are not living in joint families, they have the same rules of ten days of sutakam.<blockquote>प्राप्नोति सूतकं गोत्रे चतुर्थपुरुषेण तु । दायाद्विच्छेदमाप्नोति पञ्चमो वात्मवंशजः ॥ ३.9 ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.9)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>The aforesaid sutaka applies upto four generations (son, father, grandfather and great-grandfather) and the dayadi relationship ends with the fifth generation person of the same family.<blockquote>पञ्चभिः पुरुषैर्युक्ता अश्राद्धेया सगोत्रिणः । ततःषट्पुरुषाद्यश्च श्राद्धेऽभोज्या सगोत्रिणः ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.11)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>There is no shraddha vidhi, from the fifth generation person onwards even if they are sagotras. A sixth generation person should not partake the prasada of shraddha, even if he is a sagotra. − === Infants and Children === − − ==== Male child ==== − According to Dharmasindhu, after the tenth day Jananaasoucha of a male child, if the child dies anytime before Namakarana samskara, then the parents of the child have three days of Mrtasoucha and the sapindas have shuddi after a bath. According to Dharmasindhu, the dead child is either buried or cremated as per the achara in the family. − * Before Namakarana upon death an infant is buried. − * After Namakarana before Chudakarma or if Chudakarma is not performed upto three three years of age - child may be cremated or buried based on family tradition. − * If child dies after Chudakarma samskara (either at one year or third year), cremation has to be performed. − {| class="wikitable" − |+Mrta-Asoucha Nirnaya in Infants and Children of Dvijavarnas − ! − ! − !Mother − !Father − !Sapindas − !Remarks − |- − | − |Death of child after 10th day before Namakarana − | colspan="2" |Three days of Mrtaasoucha − |Snanashuddhi − |Namakarana is normally regarded as 11th day feature. − |- − | − |Between Namakarana (12th day) - Teething (End of 6th month) − | colspan="2" |Three days of Mrtaasoucha both on burial and cremation. − |Snanashuddhi on burial or One day Mrtaasoucha if cremated. − |Dantotpatti or teething is normally regarded as 7th month feature. − |- − |Male child − |Between Dantotpatti (7th month) - Chudakarma or end of third year − | colspan="2" |Three days of Mrtaasoucha both on burial and cremation. − |One day Asoucha on burial or Three day Mrtaasoucha if cremated. − |Chudakarma is regarded as a samskara in 3rd year of child. − |- − |Male Child − |Death occurs after Chudakarma when performed before child's first year - up to 3 years of age − | colspan="3" |Three days of Mrtaasoucha on cremation. − |In some traditions Chudakarma is performed before the male child completes one year. − |- − |Male child − |Death occurs after Chudakarma up to Upanayana Samskara − | colspan="3" |Three days of Mrtaasoucha for mother, father and sapindas. For Sodakas no Mrtaasoucham but snana is shuddhi is present. − |Here the child has not undergone Upanayana samskara but the age is considered. − |- − |Male child − |News of death of a child (who did not have Upanayana samskara) received after a year − | colspan="3" |No Mrta Asoucham for parents and others but shuddhi after snana is ordained. In case of Aurasa putra the parents have three days of Mrtaasoucham even if they heard the news of death after one year of passing of the child. − |Such cases are seen in adoption of sons. − |} − <blockquote>अजातदन्ता ये बाला ये च गर्भाद्विनिःसृताः । न तेषां अग्निसंस्कारो नाशौचं नोदकक्रिया ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.16)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>For infants from birth till the time the teeth had yet to grow, and for such who are still-born, no cremation (अग्निसंस्कार) is ordained, neither is there any time of Asoucha, nor are given tarpana of water (उदकक्रिया). This vidhi applies to the relatives and not the mother. − − === मृताशौचविधयः ॥ Mrtaasoucha Vidhis === − तत्र मृताशौचवतामस्पृश्यत्वं कर्मानधिकारश्च॥
→मृताशौचनिर्णयः॥ Determining Mrta-Asoucha: moved it to a new page
== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==
Asoucham also called as Sutaka, in general, ensues in three situations that are common in the life of a grhastha and his family.
Asoucham also called as Sutaka, in general, ensues in three situations that are common in the life of a grhastha and his family.
# '''जाताशौचम् ॥ Jaata-asoucha''' - Asoucha after the birth of a child
# '''जाताशौचम् ॥ Jaata-Asoucha (जाताशौचम्)''' - Asoucha after the birth of a child
# '''मृताशौचम् ॥ Mrta-asoucha''' - After death of a family member or relatives
# '''[[Mrta-Asoucha (मृताशौचम्)|मृताशौचम् ॥ Mrta-Asoucha]]''' - After death of a family member or relatives
# '''रजस्वलाशौचम् ॥ Rajasvala-asoucha''' - During four-day menstruation period for a girl or woman until menopause
# '''रजस्वलाशौचम् ॥ Rajasvala-asoucha''' - During four-day menstruation period for a girl or woman until menopause
Asoucham is not due to disease nor should be attributed to microbiological containment, and refers purely to a Ritual Isolation in which one has to conform to a certain place with some restrictions on one's personal activities and socialising for a certain period of time. These periods of Asoucha have a religious as well as a social and practical significance. During the Mrtaasoucha the family are relieved of their various duties and social obligations so that they have time to bear the grieving process. The situation is strictly controlled with the texts such as Garuda Purana clearly laying down the things to be done or to be avoided. It is also the retrospective time while the departed are still in connection and their near and dear. In the case of Jataasoucha the family are in isolation mainly to take complete care of the new-born and as such the time is required for the stability of the new mother and child.
Asoucham is not due to disease nor should be attributed to microbiological containment, and refers purely to a Ritual Isolation in which one has to conform to a certain place with some restrictions on one's personal activities and socialising for a certain period of time. These periods of Asoucha have a religious as well as a social and practical significance. During the Mrtaasoucha the family are relieved of their various duties and social obligations so that they have time to bear the grieving process. The situation is strictly controlled with the texts such as Garuda Purana clearly laying down the things to be done or to be avoided. It is also the retrospective time while the departed are still in connection and their near and dear. In the case of Jataasoucha the family are in isolation mainly to take complete care of the new-born and as such the time is required for the stability of the new mother and child.
=== आशैचप्राप्तिः ॥ Asoucha Applies To ===
=== आशैचप्राप्तिः ॥ Asoucha Applies To ===
<blockquote>प्राप्नोति सूतकं गोत्रे चतुर्थपुरुषेण तु । दायाद्विच्छेदमाप्नोति पञ्चमो वात्मवंशजः ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.9)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>The sutaka applies upto four generations (Person X, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and the sons (and their wives) and their children of the first three generations) and the sapinda relationship ends with the fifth generation person of the same family.
<blockquote>प्राप्नोति सूतकं गोत्रे चतुर्थपुरुषेण तु । दायाद्विच्छेदमाप्नोति पञ्चमो वात्मवंशजः ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.9)<ref name=":2">The Smriti Sandarbha (1988) ''Collection of the Four Dharmashastric Texts by Maharshies. Vol. 2.'' Delhi: Nag Publishers. (Page 633-)</ref></blockquote>The sutaka applies upto four generations (Person X, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and the sons (and their wives) and their children of the first three generations) and the sapinda relationship ends with the fifth generation person of the same family.
A woman after marriage observes the Asoucha of her husband's family and not that of her natural family. From birth upto marriage a female child follows the Asoucha of her parental family and after marriage Asoucha of husband's family applies, though she would still have to follow the Asoucha (reduced in number of days) of her blood relatives.
A woman after marriage observes the Asoucha of her husband's family and not that of her natural family. From birth upto marriage a female child follows the Asoucha of her parental family and after marriage Asoucha of husband's family applies, though she would still have to follow the Asoucha (reduced in number of days) of her blood relatives.
== ॥ Asoucha Based on Varnas ==
== ॥ Asoucha Based on Varnas ==
=== जाताशौचविधिः॥ Jaata-Asoucha Vidhi ===
=== जाताशौचविधिः॥ Jaata-Asoucha ===
According to Parasara Smriti<blockquote>जातौ विप्रो दशाहेन द्वादशाहेन भूमिपः । वैश्यः पञ्चदशाहेन शूद्रो मासेन शुध्यति ॥ ३.४ ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.4)<ref name=":1">Parashara Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>On the occasion of a birth, a Brahman recovers purity in ten days; a Kshatriya does so in twelve days; a vaishya at the expiry of fifteen days; and the purification of a Shoodra takes a month.
According to Parasara Smriti<blockquote>जातौ विप्रो दशाहेन द्वादशाहेन भूमिपः । वैश्यः पञ्चदशाहेन शूद्रो मासेन शुध्यति ॥ ३.४ ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.4)<ref name=":1">Parashara Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>On the occasion of a birth, a Brahman recovers purity in ten days; a Kshatriya does so in twelve days; a vaishya at the expiry of fifteen days; and the purification of a Shoodra takes a month.
[Madhava says that this rule applies to the case where a Sapinda has been born ; while the rule of three days applies where a Samanodaka, a more distant relative than a Sapinda, has been born.]
[Madhava says that this rule applies to the case where a Sapinda has been born ; while the rule of three days applies where a Samanodaka, a more distant relative than a Sapinda, has been born.]
=== मृताशौचविधिः॥ Mrta-Asoucha Vidhis ===
=== मृताशौचविधिः॥ Mrta-Asoucha ===
When Asoucha is due to death of a family member, the removal of Asoucha depends on few conditions such as varna of the person, the time of abortion or death. Based on the Varna of a person the vidhis are as follows<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>क्षत्रियो द्वादशाहेन वैश्यः पञ्चदशाहकैः । शूद्रः शुध्यति मासेन पराशरवचो यथा ॥ ३.२ ॥</blockquote>According to Parasara's words, a Kshatriya has shuddhi (purity) from asoucha in twelve days (i.e., on 13th day); a Vaisya, when fifteen days have passed (i.e., on the 16th day); a Shudra, after the lapse of a month (i.e., on the 31st day).
When Asoucha is due to death of a family member, the removal of Asoucha depends on few conditions such as varna of the person, the time of abortion or death. Based on the Varna of a person the vidhis are as follows<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>क्षत्रियो द्वादशाहेन वैश्यः पञ्चदशाहकैः । शूद्रः शुध्यति मासेन पराशरवचो यथा ॥ ३.२ ॥</blockquote>According to Parasara's words, a Kshatriya has shuddhi (purity) from asoucha in twelve days (i.e., on 13th day); a Vaisya, when fifteen days have passed (i.e., on the 16th day); a Shudra, after the lapse of a month (i.e., on the 31st day).
=== Death due to Unnatural Reasons ===
=== Death due to Unnatural Reasons ===
In the Garuda Purana ShriKrishna explains to Garuda the vidhis of Asoucha in case of unnatural deaths such as death due to snake-bite, drowning and being struck by an horned animal, through weapons or in an accident and when no funeral rites are carried out such as cremation.<blockquote>गरुड उवाच ।</blockquote><blockquote>सर्पाद्धि प्राप्तमृत्यूनामग्निदाहादि न क्रिया । जलेन शृङ्गिणा वापि शस्त्राद्यैर्म्रियते यदि ॥ २,१३.९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>असन्मृत्युमृतानां च कथं शुद्धिर्भवत्प्रभो । एतन्मे संशयं देव च्छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः ॥ २,१३.१० ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>श्रीकृष्ण उवाच ।</blockquote><blockquote>षण्मासैर्ब्राह्मणः शुध्येद्युग्मे सार्धे तु बाहुजः । सार्धमासेन वैश्यस्तु शूद्रो मासेन शुध्यति ॥ २,१३.११ ॥ (Garu. Pura. 2.13.9-11)<ref>Garuda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_(%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A Dharma Kaanda Adhyaya 13]) </ref></blockquote>Krishna replies : If he is a Brahmana, shuddhi is after six months, if a Kshatriya in three months; if a Vaishya - a month and a half and if he is a Shudra shuddhi is after one month.<ref>''The Garuda Purana, Part 2, Translated by a Board of Scholars'' (1957 First Edition) Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. (Page 799)</ref>
In the Garuda Purana ShriKrishna explains to Garuda the vidhis of Asoucha in case of unnatural deaths such as death due to snake-bite, drowning and being struck by an horned animal, through weapons or in an accident and when no funeral rites are carried out such as cremation.<blockquote>गरुड उवाच ।</blockquote><blockquote>सर्पाद्धि प्राप्तमृत्यूनामग्निदाहादि न क्रिया । जलेन शृङ्गिणा वापि शस्त्राद्यैर्म्रियते यदि ॥ २,१३.९ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>असन्मृत्युमृतानां च कथं शुद्धिर्भवत्प्रभो । एतन्मे संशयं देव च्छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः ॥ २,१३.१० ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>श्रीकृष्ण उवाच ।</blockquote><blockquote>षण्मासैर्ब्राह्मणः शुध्येद्युग्मे सार्धे तु बाहुजः । सार्धमासेन वैश्यस्तु शूद्रो मासेन शुध्यति ॥ २,१३.११ ॥ (Garu. Pura. 2.13.9-11)<ref>Garuda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_(%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A Dharma Kaanda Adhyaya 13]) </ref></blockquote>Krishna replies : If he is a Brahmana, shuddhi is after six months, if a Kshatriya in three months; if a Vaishya - a month and a half and if he is a Shudra shuddhi is after one month.<ref>''The Garuda Purana, Part 2, Translated by a Board of Scholars'' (1957 First Edition) Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. (Page 799)</ref>
== गर्भनाशजननाद्यशौचम् ॥ Garbhanaasha and Jaatasoucha ==
== गर्भनाशजननाद्यशौचम् ॥ Garbhanaasha and Jaatasoucha ==