Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 22
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
द्विजश्चान्द्रायणं कुर्यात्तप्तकृच्छ्रमथापि वा भाण्डसङ्कलसङ्कीर्णश्चाण्डालादिजुगुप्सितैः
dvijaścāndrāyaṇaṃ kuryāttaptakṛcchramathāpi vā bhāṇḍasaṅkalasaṅkīrṇaścāṇḍālādijugupsitaiḥ
দ্বিজ যদি চাণ্ডাল আদি অপবিত্ৰ লোকৰ সৈতে সম্পৰ্কিত ভাণ্ড, শৃংখলা আদি বস্তু স্পৰ্শ কৰি দুষিত হয়, তেন্তে সি চান্দ্ৰায়ণ প্ৰায়শ্চিত্ত কৰিব; অথবা বিকল্পৰূপে তপ্ত-কৃচ্ছ্ৰ পালন কৰিব।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prescribes penances (Cāndrāyaṇa or Tapta-Kṛcchra) for dvija defilement via contact with contaminated objects (vessels, fetters) linked to outcastes/reprehensible persons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Cāndrāyaṇa / Tapta-Kṛcchra for dvija defiled by caṇḍāla-associated objects","lookup_keywords":["cāndrāyaṇa","tapta-kṛcchra","bhāṇḍa","saṅkala","aśauca"],"quick_summary":"When a twice-born is defiled through contact with vessels, chains, or similar items associated with caṇḍālas and other censured persons, the expiation is Cāndrāyaṇa or alternatively Tapta-Kṛcchra."}
Concept: Ritual status is affected not only by persons but by objects (saṃsarga-doṣa); tapas-based vows restore eligibility.
Application: In communal/temple contexts, avoid shared contaminated implements; if contact occurs, adopt graded penance (lunar-vow or heated kṛcchra) per capacity.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiatory Rites and Purification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija discovers defilement from touching a contaminated vessel/chain; he undertakes a lunar-measured Cāndrāyaṇa or the austere Tapta-Kṛcchra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized dvija holding a defiled pot and chain at a distance, then seated in tapas with lunar disc motifs above, simple ritual fire nearby, flat sacred geometry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted crescent-to-full moon arc above the penitent, ornate vessel depicted to the side, priestly figure with prayer beads, temple-pillared frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic panel showing two options: Cāndrāyaṇa with moon phases and measured morsels; Tapta-Kṛcchra with heated austerity symbols, fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative split-scene: contact with objects in a bazaar/yard; then penance in a quiet chamber with moon chart, meticulous objects and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विजश्चान्द्रायणं = द्विजः + च + आन्द्रायणम्; कुर्यात्तप्तकृच्छ्रमथापि वा = कुर्यात् + तप्तकृच्छ्रम् + अथ + अपि + वा; सङ्कीर्णश्चाण्डालादिजुगुप्सितैः = सङ्कीर्णः + चाण्डालादिजुगुप्सितैः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (penance gradations)
FAQs
It prescribes specific expiatory rites—Cāndrāyaṇa or Tapta-Kṛcchra—for a dvija who incurs ritual defilement through contact with impure persons/associations and their objects (e.g., vessels, shackles).
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves Dharma-śāstra material—practical legal-ritual guidelines for purity, social conduct, and atonement—showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
It frames impurity as a karmically consequential breach of ritual order and teaches that disciplined penance restores purity (śuddhi), eligibility for rites, and religious merit through regulated self-restraint.