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Asoucha or Asoucham (Samskrit: आशौचम्) broadly refers to a period of isolation and restriction from dharmik activities in certain situations. In Sanatana Dharma texts Asoucha, translated inadequately as Impurity, is used to denote yet another unique concept which involves restrictions on a person (who has the Asoucha) from participating in certain rituals, [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]], [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]], [[Dana (दानम्)|danas]] and even mingling with other family members preventing socialization extending to a long period of time (even a month in some cases).<ref name=":0">Shama Sastry, R. (1921) ''Smritichandrika, Asaucha Kaanda by Devanabhatta.'' Mysore : Oriental Library Publications. (Pages 1 -25)</ref>

Asoucha or Asoucham (Samskrit: आशौचम्) broadly refers to a period of isolation and restriction from dharmik activities in certain situations. In Sanatana Dharma texts Asoucha, translated inadequately as Impurity, is used to denote yet another unique concept which involves restrictions on a person (who has the Asoucha) from participating in certain rituals, [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]], [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]], [[Dana (दानम्)|danas]] and even mingling with other family members preventing socialization extending to a long period of time (even a month in some cases).<ref name=":0">Shama Sastry, R. (1921) ''Smritichandrika, Asaucha Kaanda by Devanabhatta.'' Mysore : Oriental Library Publications. (Pages 1 -25)</ref>

It is a deliberate isolation period wherein the family at the time of death of a member or at the time of birth of a child are not required to attend to the regular [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|grhastha dharmas]] such as [[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]], Devata puja, [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], Svadhyaya etc. Asaucham is not a condition like a disease, which requires isolation to prevent spreading of the disease. It is rather a condition which one imposes upon oneself, more of a family choice to follow the Acharas which have been handed down to us from ancient times. It is a sensible deliberate process by which we accept the changes in nature by practical and philosophical ways.   

It is a deliberate isolation period wherein the family at the time of death of a member or at the time of birth of a child are not required to attend to the regular [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|grhastha dharmas]] such as [[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]], Devata puja, [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], Svadhyaya etc. Asoucham is not a condition like a disease, which requires isolation to prevent spreading of the disease. It is rather a condition which one imposes upon oneself, more of a family choice to follow the Acharas which have been handed down to us from ancient times. It is a sensible deliberate process by which we accept the changes in nature by practical and philosophical ways.   

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

# '''[[Jaata-Asoucha (जाताशौचम्)|जाताशौचम् ॥ Jaata-Asoucha]]''' - Asoucha after the birth of a child

# '''[[Jaata-Asoucha (जाताशौचम्)|जाताशौचम् ॥ Jaata-Asoucha]]''' - Asoucha after the birth of a child

# '''[[Mrta-Asoucha (मृताशौचम्)|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''' - Asoucha during the 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.  

== पारिभाषिकपदानि ॥ Associated Terminology ==

== पारिभाषिकपदानि ॥ Associated Terminology ==

Reference to Dharmasindhu and Smriti granthas has been given from which further information may be sought on the following topics.<blockquote>कूटस्थमारभ्य सप्तमपुरुषपर्यन्ताः सपिण्डाः ॥ ततः सप्तसमानोदकाः ॥ ततः सप्तैकविंशतिपर्यन्ताः सगोत्राः ॥ (Dhar. Sind. Parich. 3)<ref name=":3">The Dharmasindhu bu Kasinath Upadhyaya (1986 Reprint Edition) Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications (Page 341 - 343)</ref></blockquote>'''कूटस्थः॥ Kutastha:''' The moola purusha is the Kutastha. The fourth older generation person is the Kutastha. Ex: Consider the persons Great-grandfather, Grand-father, Father and Person X (Son) in a lineage.   

Reference to Dharmasindhu and Smriti granthas has been given from which further information may be sought on the following topics.<blockquote>कूटस्थमारभ्य सप्तमपुरुषपर्यन्ताः सपिण्डाः ॥ ततः सप्तसमानोदकाः ॥ ततः सप्तैकविंशतिपर्यन्ताः सगोत्राः ॥ (Dhar. Sind. Parich. 3)<ref name=":3">The Dharmasindhu bu Kasinath Upadhyaya (1986 Reprint Edition) Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications (Page 341 - 343)</ref></blockquote>'''कूटस्थः॥ Kutastha:''' The moola purusha is the Kutastha. The fourth older generation person is the Kutastha. Ex: Consider the persons Great-grandfather, Grand-father, Father and Person X (Son) as a lineage. Kutastha is the mostly the great-grandfather (in some cases goes upto great great-grandfather).   

'''सपिण्डः ॥ Sapinda:''' All the sons and children belonging to them, upto seven generations down from the Kutastha are called Sapindas.

'''सपिण्डः ॥ Sapinda:''' All the sons and children belonging to them, upto seven generations down from the Kutastha are called Sapindas.

'''सूतकम् ॥ Sutaka:''' A synonym for Asoucha.

'''सूतकम् ॥ Sutaka:''' A synonym for Asoucha.

'''शुद्धिः/शौचम्॥ Shuddhi/Soucham:''' Is the cleansing process which happens with the bath taken after the period of Asoucha.

'''शुद्धिः/शौचम्॥ Shuddhi/Soucham:''' Is the cleansing process which happens with a ritualistic bath taken after the period of Asoucha.

'''अस्पृस्यत्वरुपमाशौचम् ॥''' '''Asprushyatva-rupa Asoucha''' refers to the vidhi equivalent to isolation of the person without anyone getting in physical contact with them. If they have to be touched (for any reason such as offering of medicines or for food) snana removes such an asoucham. Sadly this vidhi is misrepresented as 'untouchability' by many people of the society although shastras have not restricted medical or essential help to anyone following this vidhi.  

'''अस्पृस्यत्वरुपमाशौचम् ॥''' '''Asprushyatva-rupa Asoucha''' refers to the vidhi equivalent to isolation of the person without anyone getting in physical contact with them. If they have to be touched (for any reason such as offering of medicines or for food) snana removes such an asoucham. Sadly this vidhi is misrepresented as 'untouchability' by many people of the society although shastras have not restricted medical or essential help to anyone following this vidhi.  

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 ==

== आशैचभेदाः॥ Asoucha ==

=== जाताशौचविधिः॥ Jaata-Asoucha ===

=== जाताशौचम्॥ 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 ===

=== मृताशौचम्॥ 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 ॥ (Para. Smrt 3.2)</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).

Shudravarna vidhis are so ordained in Dharmasindhu, death of a child who had Namakarana samskara up to the age of 3 years shuddhi for the parents and relatives happens with snana; Between 3 years to Vivaha or 16 years shuddhi happens after three days of Asoucha. If death happens after 16 years Mrtashoucham for one month has to be followed (as given above in Parashara smriti also).<ref name=":3" />

Shudravarna vidhis are so ordained in Dharmasindhu, death of a child who had Namakarana samskara up to the age of 3 years shuddhi for the parents and relatives happens with snana; Between 3 years to Vivaha or 16 years shuddhi happens after three days of Asoucha. If death happens after 16 years Mrtashoucham for one month has to be followed (as given above in Parashara smriti also).<ref name=":3" />

=== 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>

=== Exemptions from Asoucha ===

==== सद्यः शौचाः ॥ Sadya-Soucha ====

<blockquote>शिल्पिनः कारुका वैद्या दासीदासाश्च नापिताः । राजानः श्रोत्रियाश्चैव सद्यः शौचाः प्रकीर्तिताः ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सव्रतः सत्रपूतश्च आहिताग्निश्च यो द्विजः । राज्ञश्च सूतकं नास्ति यस्य चेच्छति पार्थिवः ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.27 - 28)</blockquote>

For the following people of different occupations and varnas, there are exceptions and the Asoucha is removed with a bath on hearing the news. <blockquote>शिल्पिनः कारुका वैद्या दासीदासाश्च नापिताः । राजानः श्रोत्रियाश्चैव सद्यः शौचाः प्रकीर्तिताः ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>सव्रतः सत्रपूतश्च आहिताग्निश्च यो द्विजः । राज्ञश्च सूतकं नास्ति यस्य चेच्छति पार्थिवः ॥ (Para. Smrt. 3.27 - 28)</blockquote>

# Artisans

# Artisans

# Architects and builders

# Architects and builders

# Those who are in process of a religious observance or vratas i.e. brahmacharis.

# Those who are in process of a religious observance or vratas i.e. brahmacharis.

# Ahitagnis - those who have been initiated and are engaged in the performance of a yajña lasting more than one day.

# Ahitagnis - those who have been initiated and are engaged in the performance of a yajña lasting more than one day.

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Dharmas]]

[[Category:Dharmas]]