Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 31
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
पुनः प्राप्य स्वदेशञ्च वर्णानामनुपूर्वशः कृच्छ्रस्यान्ते ब्राह्मणस्तु पुनः संस्कारमर्हति
punaḥ prāpya svadeśañca varṇānāmanupūrvaśaḥ kṛcchrasyānte brāhmaṇastu punaḥ saṃskāramarhati
Nachdem er erneut sein eigenes Land erreicht und in der gebührenden Reihenfolge unter die Varṇa wieder eingegliedert worden ist, wird der Brāhmaṇa am Ende der Kṛcchra-Sühne berechtigt, das reinigende Sakrament (saṃskāra) nochmals zu empfangen.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides reintegration and re-eligibility for saṃskāras after completing kṛcchra-prāyaścitta and returning to one’s community.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṛcchra-prāyaścitta completion and re-eligibility for saṃskāra (Brāhmaṇa)","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","prāyaścitta","saṃskāra","svadeśa","varṇānupūrvya"],"quick_summary":"After completing the kṛcchra expiation and returning to one’s own country/community, a Brāhmaṇa regains eligibility to undergo purificatory saṃskāras again, in proper social order."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta restores adhikāra (ritual eligibility) when completed with proper sequence and social reintegration.
Application: Use as a rule for when a person may resume rites, study, and formal sacraments after penance.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Restorative Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmavira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent Brāhmaṇa returning to his homeland after completing kṛcchra, being formally readmitted and prepared for a purificatory saṃskāra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: village pathway and riverbank bath, a Brāhmaṇa with kamaṇḍalu and white cloth, elders performing readmission rite, warm earthy palette, temple courtyard backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central seated Brāhmaṇa before a small yajña-kuṇḍa, priests conferring saṃskāra eligibility, ornate arch, gold leaf highlights on vessels and halo-like aureole.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: instructional tableau showing stages—return to svadeśa, completion of kṛcchra, then saṃskāra—fine linework, muted colors, labeled ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly townscape with a scholar returning, community elders receiving him, delicate textiles, detailed architecture, subtle gestures indicating reinstatement."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वदेशञ्च → स्वदेशम् + च; वर्णानामनुपूर्वशः → वर्णानाम् + अनुपूर्वशः; कृच्छ्रस्यान्ते → कृच्छ्रस्य + अन्ते; ब्राह्मणस्तु → ब्राह्मणः + तु; संस्कारमर्हति → संस्कारम् + अर्हति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (Prāyaścitta and Śuddhi rules)
FAQs
It states a procedural rule: after completing the Kṛcchra expiation and returning to one’s homeland with proper reintegration into varṇa order, a Brāhmaṇa regains eligibility to undergo saṃskāra (a restorative purificatory rite).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s Dharma-shastra coverage by codifying expiation (prāyaścitta), social reinstatement, and ritual eligibility—practical legal-ritual guidance alongside its many other domains.
The verse frames expiation as karmic purification that restores ritual competence: completion of penance is not merely personal austerity but a formal return to sacred eligibility through renewed saṃskāra.