Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
मुण्डनं सर्वकृच्छ्रेषु स्नानं होमो हरेर्यजिः उत्थितस्तु दिवा तिष्ठेदुपविष्टस् तथा निशि
muṇḍanaṃ sarvakṛcchreṣu snānaṃ homo hareryajiḥ utthitastu divā tiṣṭhedupaviṣṭas tathā niśi
في جميع أنواع كِرِچْچْهْرَة (Kṛcchra) من الكفّارات يُشرَع: حلقُ الرأس (المونْدَنَة)، والاغتسال، وتقديمُ الهُوما في النار، وعبادةُ هَري (فيشنو). ينبغي أن يبقى قائمًا نهارًا، وأن يبقى جالسًا ليلًا كذلك.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Implement kṛcchra penance protocol: tonsure, bath, homa, Hari-pūjā, and regulated postures (standing by day, sitting by night) as a structured austerity program.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṛcchra-prāyaścitta: Mūṇḍana, Snāna, Homa, Hari-yajana, and Posture Rules","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","mūṇḍana","snāna","homa","Hari-yajana"],"quick_summary":"Kṛcchra expiations are defined by bodily purification (tonsure, bathing), ritual acts (homa), devotional worship (Hari), and strict daily posture discipline. The regimen is meant to intensify tapas and restore ritual-ethical purity."}
Concept: Tapas expressed through regulated body, ritual, and devotion functions as expiation.
Application: Follow a time-bound austerity with clear do’s/don’ts; combine bodily discipline with devotional orientation to prevent mere self-torture.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Vrata-vidhi (Expiations, Atonements, and Purificatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic-penitent with freshly shaven head stands through the day near a homa altar, then sits upright at night; nearby a simple Viṣṇu shrine indicates Hari-yajana; bathing vessel and ritual implements are present.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, shaved-headed penitent in white, homa fire with stylized flames, small Viṣṇu shrine lamp, day-night split composition (sun and moon), austere temple-ashram setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu shrine with gold embellishment, penitent standing with folded hands, homa altar foreground with gold highlights, rich drapery and ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diptych: daytime standing posture and nighttime seated posture, labeled ritual items (kunda, ladle, kalaśa), gentle shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative day-to-night scene in one frame, penitent standing by day under sun, seated by night under moon, detailed ritual utensils and small shrine architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हरेर्यजिः = हरेः + यजिः; तिष्ठेदुपविष्टस् = तिष्ठेत् + उपविष्टः (त् + उ → द् उ, तथा सन्धि); उपविष्टस् = उपविष्टः (विसर्ग/ः → स् before consonant).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171.4 (vīrāsana/yati-cāndrāyaṇa); Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on Hari-pūjā and homa
FAQs
It specifies core observances for Kṛcchra-type penances: tonsure (muṇḍana), ritual bath (snāna), fire oblations (homa), worship of Hari (Viṣṇu), and a disciplined posture-regimen—standing by day and sitting by night.
By codifying practical, rule-based details of expiation (prāyaścitta)—including bodily discipline, daily conduct, and ritual acts—this verse exemplifies how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of applied dharma alongside its broader mythic and doctrinal materials.
These acts are meant to purify wrongdoing through austerity and ritual merit: bodily restraint (standing/sitting discipline), cleansing (snāna), sanctification via fire (homa), and devotion to Hari together support karmic expiation and restoration of religious purity.