Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 228 — स्वप्नाध्यायः
Svapnādhāyaḥ / Chapter on Dreams
आलिङ्गनं कुमारीणां पुरुषाञ्च मैथुनं हानिश् चैव स्वगात्राणां विरेको वमनक्रिया
āliṅganaṃ kumārīṇāṃ puruṣāñca maithunaṃ hāniś caiva svagātrāṇāṃ vireko vamanakriyā
Embracing unmarried maidens (kumārīs), sexual intercourse with men, and likewise self-injury to one’s own body—such acts are (said to be) treated by purgation (vireka) and therapeutic emesis (vamana).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Prescribes śodhana (purificatory therapies)—virecana and vamana—as bodily regimens in expiatory/disciplinary contexts for certain transgressive or contaminating acts, integrating prāyaścitta with medical purification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śodhana as Prāyaścitta: Vamana and Virecana","lookup_keywords":["virecana","vamana","prayashchitta","shodhana","snana-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"For specified acts considered polluting/transgressive, the text points to purgation and therapeutic emesis as cleansing measures, blending ritual expiation with Ayurvedic detoxification."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Purification is framed as both ethical-ritual and somatic: inner/outer cleansing through regulated austerity and bodily śodhana.
Application: Use structured, supervised cleansing regimens alongside ethical restraint and corrective conduct; treat ‘purification’ as reform, not mere punishment.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Prayashchitta (Purification and bodily regimens)
Primary Rasa: bībhatsa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A clinical-ritual purification setting: a vaidya overseeing a patient undergoing vamana and virecana; nearby, a priestly context indicating expiation and discipline.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, traditional vaidya with palm-leaf manuscript, patient seated with attendants, vessels for decoctions, symbolic purification motifs, flat colors and stylized figures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central vaidya and seated patient, gold detailing on vessels and textiles, serene yet austere mood, minimal background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical scene: two panels labeled vamana and virecana, careful depiction of posture, vessels, and attendant support, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hakim/vaidya chamber with attendants, detailed jars and textiles, discreet depiction of therapy, architectural interior with patterned carpets"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुरुषान् + च → पुरुषाञ्च; हानिः + च + एव → हानिश् चैव (विसर्ग sandhi: ः + च → श्च).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Ayurveda/Pañcakarma discussions (virecana/vamana); Agni Purana: Prāyaścitta and śauca rules
FAQs
It prescribes śodhana (cleansing therapy) measures—virecana (purgation) and vamana (therapeutic emesis)—as corrective/purificatory responses connected with specific transgressive or harmful acts.
It blends dharma-style regulation of conduct with practical Ayurvedic-style purification methods, showing how the Agni Purāṇa moves across ethics, penance, and medical cleansing within one instructional framework.
The verse frames certain misconduct and self-harm as impurities requiring expiation, with bodily cleansing acts serving as outward disciplines meant to restore ritual purity and reduce the karmic burden of wrongdoing.