Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 35
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
चान्द्रायण नवश्राद्धे पराको मासिके मतः पक्षत्रये ऽतिकृच्छ्रं स्यात् षण्मासे कृच्छ्रमेव च
cāndrāyaṇa navaśrāddhe parāko māsike mataḥ pakṣatraye 'tikṛcchraṃ syāt ṣaṇmāse kṛcchrameva ca
নবশ্রাদ্ধ-সম্পর্কিত দোষের প্রায়শ্চিত্ত হিসেবে চান্দ্রায়ণ ব্রত নির্ধারিত। মাসিক ক্রিয়ার দোষে পরাক। তিন পক্ষ স্থায়ী হলে অতিকৃচ্ছ্র, আর ছয় মাস হলে কেবল কৃচ্ছ্র।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Choosing the correct expiatory vow based on the type of śrāddha/rite and the duration of lapse, useful for priests and householders maintaining ancestral rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Expiations for śrāddha/rite lapses: Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, Atikṛcchra, Kṛcchra","lookup_keywords":["nava-śrāddha","cāndrāyaṇa","parāka","atikṛcchra","kṛcchra"],"quick_summary":"Faults connected with the ninefold śrāddha are atoned by Cāndrāyaṇa; monthly-rite faults by Parāka. If the lapse persists three fortnights, Atikṛcchra is prescribed; if six months, Kṛcchra."}
Concept: Ritual duty (especially pitṛ-kārya) is maintained through time-sensitive corrective vows; continuity and accountability are central to dharma.
Application: If śrāddha/monthly rites are missed or performed with fault, select the matching vrata and intensity based on how long the lapse continued.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prāyaścitta and Śrāddha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder performs śrāddha with piṇḍa offerings; a lunar motif indicates Cāndrāyaṇa. Separate small vignettes show Parāka, Atikṛcchra, and Kṛcchra as graded austerities with time markers (fortnights, months).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central śrāddha scene with piṇḍa and darbha, pitṛ symbols, above a large moon cycle band for Cāndrāyaṇa; side panels show increasing austerity (Parāka, Atikṛcchra, Kṛcchra) with stylized calendar glyphs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf moon disc and ornate śrāddha altar, householder offering piṇḍa, inset panels with four vows named visually by lunar and austerity symbols, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like painting: śrāddha setup, then four vow panels labeled by iconography—moon phases for Cāndrāyaṇa, strict fasting posture for Parāka, intensified austerity for Atikṛcchra, standard austerity for Kṛcchra","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual room with śrāddha offerings, Brahmin officiant, lunar calendar scroll indicating Cāndrāyaṇa; small marginal scenes show the other penances with attendants marking fortnights and months"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pakṣatraye 'tikṛcchram → pakṣatraye + atikṛcchram (avagraha shows a-); kṛcchram + eva → kṛcchrameva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (prāyaścitta gradations); Agni Purana sections on śrāddha-vidhi and vrata definitions
FAQs
It prescribes graded prāyaścitta (expiations)—Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, Atikṛcchra, and Kṛcchra—mapped to specific śrāddha/monthly-rite contexts and to the duration of a lapse (three fortnights vs. six months).
Beyond mythic narration, it catalogs Dharmaśāstra-style operational rules for ritual compliance—defining which penance applies under which circumstance—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a practical manual of rites, norms, and corrective procedures.
The verse frames ritual lapses as karmically remediable through proportionate austerities; performing the specified penance is presented as a means to restore purity, rectify omission-related demerit, and re-establish ritual eligibility.