Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Utpāta-śānti
Pacification of Portents
कृच्छ्रैर् विशुद्धो जप्त्वा च हुत्वा स्नात्वाथ सर्वभाक् अष्टादशभ्यः शान्तिभ्यस्तिस्रो ऽन्याः शान्तयो वराः
kṛcchrair viśuddho japtvā ca hutvā snātvātha sarvabhāk aṣṭādaśabhyaḥ śāntibhyastisro 'nyāḥ śāntayo varāḥ
Nachdem er sich durch die Ausübung des kṛcchra (Askese/Sühneobservanz) gereinigt hat und dann Japa vollzogen, Opfergaben dargebracht und gebadet hat, wird er zu allen Riten und ihren Früchten berechtigt. Über die achtzehn Śānti-Riten hinaus gibt es drei weitere vortreffliche Befriedungen.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Structured expiation: perform kṛcchra, then japa, homa, and snāna to regain ritual eligibility; cataloging śānti-kalpa options beyond the standard eighteen.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kṛcchra-śuddhi Sequence and Śānti-rites Enumeration","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","japa","homa","snāna","śānti"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a purification sequence (kṛcchra → japa → homa → snāna) restoring adhikāra, and notes additional śānti rites beyond an established set of eighteen."}
Concept: Ritual competence (adhikāra) is recoverable through graded purification—tapas (kṛcchra), mantra (japa), yajña (homa), and śauca (snāna).
Application: When undertaking major rites after impurity or transgression, follow a staged purification plan rather than a single act; consult śānti-kalpa options contextually.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa (Ritual pacification rites and expiations)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic-observer completes kṛcchra austerity, then performs japa, offers ghee into a homa fire, and finally bathes—symbolizing restored eligibility; a scroll lists ‘18 śānti’ plus ‘3 more’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential narrative frieze: fasting devotee, then japa with mālā, then homa-kuṇḍa with flames, then river-bath, with palm-leaf list of śānti rites, earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central homa scene with gold-highlighted flames and vessels, devotee with mālā, background vignette of bath, ornate border, sacred geometry around kuṇḍa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting, four-step diagram labeled kṛcchra/japa/homa/snānā, side column enumerating ‘18 śānti + 3’, clean composition for teaching.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic courtyard yajña with priest and patron, later bath at a stepped tank, manuscript page showing śānti list, fine detail and muted palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛcchrair → कृच्छ्रैः (visarga sandhi); snātvātha → स्नात्वा अथ; śāntibhyas-tisraḥ → शान्तिभ्यः तिस्रः; 'nyāḥ → अन्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 262 (Śānti-kalpa/prāyaścitta context)
FAQs
It prescribes a preparatory ritual protocol—kṛcchra expiation, mantra-japa, homa, and ritual bath—after which one becomes qualified to undertake or benefit from the śānti (pacification) rites, noting additional śāntis beyond an 18-fold set.
By cataloging and systematizing ritual technologies (prāyaścitta, japa, homa, śānti classifications), it reflects the Agni Purana’s compendium style—summarizing procedural religion alongside many other disciplines across its chapters.
The verse emphasizes purification and expiation as prerequisites for effective rites: austerity and mantra-fire offerings remove ritual impurity and karmic obstruction, making the practitioner fit to receive the protective and appeasing fruits of śānti ceremonies.