Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 11
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
तप्तकृच्छ्रव्रतं सर्वपापघ्नं ब्रह्मलोकदं शीतैस्तु शीतकृच्छ्रं स्याद्ब्रह्मोक्तं ब्रह्मलोकदं
taptakṛcchravrataṃ sarvapāpaghnaṃ brahmalokadaṃ śītaistu śītakṛcchraṃ syādbrahmoktaṃ brahmalokadaṃ
The observance called the Taptakṛcchra-vrata destroys all sins and bestows attainment of Brahmaloka. Likewise, when performed with cold austerities, it becomes the Śītakṛcchra; as declared by Brahmā, it too bestows Brahmaloka.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Choosing between Taptakṛcchra (hot austerity) and Śītakṛcchra (cold austerity) as expiatory vows aimed at sin-destruction and Brahmaloka attainment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Taptakṛcchra and Śītakṛcchra (Hot/Cold Kṛcchra vows)","lookup_keywords":["taptakṛcchra","śītakṛcchra","sarva-pāpa-ghna","brahmaloka","vrata"],"quick_summary":"Two variants of the Kṛcchra vow are defined by hot vs. cold austerities; both are praised as sin-destroying and as granting Brahmaloka according to Brahmā’s declaration."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Tapas, when scripturally framed, is a karmic counter-force (pratikarma) capable of pāpa-kṣaya and higher-loka attainment.
Application: Select austerity type (heat/cold) suited to capacity and context, maintaining ethical restraints; the ‘fruit’ language motivates sustained discipline.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Vrata, Prāyaścitta, Tapas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasted scenes: a penitent performing heat austerity near a controlled fire/sun, and another performing cold austerity with cool water/winter setting; above, a symbolic Brahmaloka with Brahmā’s lotus-seat as the promised fruit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural diptych: left warm reds with sacred fire and ascetic, right cool blues with water and ascetic, upper register shows Brahmā on lotus in Brahmaloka, traditional mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold-leaf Brahmā in upper center, two side panels for taptakṛcchra and śītakṛcchra, rich gold detailing on halos and borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional comparison chart: ‘tāpta’ vs ‘śīta’, visual icons (fire/flame vs water/snow), calm figures, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, split composition with warm and cool palettes, ascetics in different environments, celestial Brahmaloka vignette above with fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: taptakṛcchravrataṃ = tapta-kṛcchra-vratam; sarvapāpaghnaṃ = sarva-pāpa-ghnam; brahmalokadaṃ = brahma-loka-dam; śītaistu = śītaiḥ tu; syādbrahmoktaṃ = syāt brahma-uktam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Kṛcchra taxonomy; loka-phala statements in prāyaścitta chapters
FAQs
It specifies two prāyaścitta-vratas—Taptakṛcchra (heat-based austerity) and Śītakṛcchra (cold-based austerity)—and states their phala: destruction of sins and attainment of Brahmaloka.
By cataloging named expiatory disciplines (prāyaścitta) with clearly stated results, it functions like a dharma manual embedded within the Purāṇa, alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, arts).
It frames disciplined austerity as a direct karmic remedy: these Kṛcchra-vratas purify accumulated demerit (pāpa) and are said to yield an exalted post-mortem destination (Brahmaloka).