Chapter 156 - Purification of things (dravya-śuddhi)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Puṣkara said:

1-2. I shall describe the (mode of) purification of things [i.e., dravya-śuddhi]. Earthen vessel made impure by contact with urine or feces would become pure by heating again. A copper and gold vessel similarly made impure (may be made pure) by melting or the copper one by water or acid. (The vessels made) of bell-metal and copper (may be purified) with acid. (Those made) of pearls (get purified) by washing.

3-5. Lotuses, vessels made of iron, vegetables, ropes, roots, fruits and cane (could be made pure by washing). The sacrificial vessels (are made pure) by sprinkling (water) with hand at the sacrificial work. Those made of oily things (such as wax) could be purified with hot water being sprinkled in the house. Muddy water may be purified by straining it through a cloth, or by sprinkling on many cloth. Wooden (things) get purified that moment (by sprinkling with water).

6-7. Liquid materials which have become solidified (would become pure) by sprinkling or by leaping up. A bed, seat, vehicle, winnowing basket and cart would become purified by sprinkling (water), as also in the case of straw and fuel. (Things made) of the horn and tusk (may be purified) by a paste of white mustard.

8. A vessel (containing) flesh (may be purified) with cow’s tail. Bones have to be (purified) as in the case of horns. Molasses of jaggery and solution of salt (may be purified) by drying.

9. Safflower, flowers, wool and cotton (may be purified) in the same manner. The flowing water of a river is pure. So also the water that remains spreads out.

10-15. A cow is pure except in its mouth. The mouths of a horse and goat are impure. The mouths of women, calves of cows, birds and of dogs (are pure). While hunting a dog dripping water from its mouth is always pure. One should sip (water thrice for purification) after eating, sneezing, sleeping, drinking (water), having had a dip in the water, walking on the street and having changed the dress worn. The cat is pure because it moves (here and there). A women in her menstrual courses (becomes pure) after bathing on the fourth day. She becomes eligible (to take part) in rites relating to gods and manes. (In impurity) due to the apāna (one of the airs in the body) five parts of mud (should be used), fifteen parts in purification after urine and seventeen parts in impurity due to feces. One should apply one part of mud to the penis and three times two parts (of mud) on both hands. For the brahmacārins (students), the foresters and ascetics (it is laid) as four times. Silken cloth (are purified) with śrīphala (emblic myrabolan), white cloth with white mustard. It is said that the hairs of animals would be purified by sprinkling water. Flowers, fruits etc. would get purified by sprinkling water.