Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
स तस्यैव व्रतं कुर्यात्तत्संसर्गस्य शुद्धये पतितस्योदकं कार्यं सपिण्डैर् बान्धवैः सह
sa tasyaiva vrataṃ kuryāttatsaṃsargasya śuddhaye patitasyodakaṃ kāryaṃ sapiṇḍair bāndhavaiḥ saha
Er soll eben dieselbe Gelübdeübung (vrata) vollziehen, um die durch den Umgang mit ihm entstandene Befleckung zu reinigen; und das Wasseropfer-Ritual (udaka) für den „Gefallenen“ ist zusammen mit seinen sapinda-Verwandten und weiteren Angehörigen zu vollziehen.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework with the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"To prescribe the corrective observance for cleansing saṃsarga-doṣa and to indicate the social-ritual handling of a patita via a water-offering rite performed with sapindas/relatives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śuddhi for patitasaṃsarga: undertake the same vrata; perform udaka-kriyā with sapindas","lookup_keywords":["vrata","śuddhi","sapinda","udaka","patita"],"quick_summary":"Purification from tainted association is achieved by undertaking the appropriate observance (vrata) corresponding to that defilement. A water-offering rite for the fallen is to be carried out with sapinda kin and relatives, formalizing separation/ritual status."}
Concept: Doṣa is removable through prescribed vrata and communal rites; kinship (sapinda) has ritual responsibility even in cases of fall.
Application: When saṃsarga-doṣa occurs, follow the matching expiatory observance and coordinate required udaka rites with family/ritual community.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Shaucha-prayashchitta (Purification rites and expiations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A family group (sapindas) with a priest performs a water-offering rite; the person seeking purification undertakes a vrata (austere posture, simple dress), indicating cleansing from association-defilement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, riverside or courtyard rite: priest with kamaṇḍalu, sapinda relatives offering water with cupped hands; the vrata-observer in plain cloth, head bowed; stylized ritual vessels and sacred thread details.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure performing udaka offering with gold-highlighted water pot and ritual tray; sapindas in symmetrical arrangement; ornate border, devotional solemnity despite legal-ritual theme.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step instructional feel: left panel shows vrata observance (fasting/standing), right panel shows udaka-kriyā with relatives; fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed riverside ceremony with attendants, priest, and family; transparent water effects, patterned garments; a quiet, formal atmosphere of ritual rectification."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tasyaiva → tasya eva; kuryāttatsaṃsargasya → kuryāt tat-saṃsargasya; patitasyodakam → patitasya udakam; sapiṇḍair → sapiṇḍaiḥ (visarga/sandhi in recitation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vrata and prāyaścitta catalogues (for specifying ‘that very observance’); Agni Purana: śrāddha/udaka-kriyā discussions
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiatory observance (vrata) to purify the impurity arising from association (saṃsarga) with a patita, and it directs performing the udaka-kriyā (water-offering rite) for that person in the presence of sapinda and other relatives.
Beyond mythology, it codifies practical dharma procedures—social-religious status, impurity by contact, and family-authorized rites—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of ritual law and expiation alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse frames impurity from wrongful association as remediable through disciplined observance and properly witnessed rites, restoring ritual eligibility and mitigating karmic taint through sanctioned purification and family-based performance.