Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 15
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
अवश्यं याति तिर्यक्त्वं जग्ध्वा चैवाहुतं हविः कौपीनाच्छादनं वासः कन्थां शीतनिवारिणीं
avaśyaṃ yāti tiryaktvaṃ jagdhvā caivāhutaṃ haviḥ kaupīnācchādanaṃ vāsaḥ kanthāṃ śītanivāriṇīṃ
He inevitably falls into an animal birth for having eaten the havis (oblation) that had been offered. His clothing becomes only a loincloth (kaupīna), and a ragged blanket serves merely to ward off the cold.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Deter sacrilege by stating karmic consequence for consuming offered oblations; reinforces ritual integrity and prescribes austere markers (minimal clothing) associated with downfall/penance imagery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Consequence of eating offered haviḥ (oblation)","lookup_keywords":["haviḥ-bhakṣaṇa","prāyaścitta","tiryak-yonī","sacrilege","ritual purity"],"quick_summary":"Consuming what has been offered in sacrifice is portrayed as a grave transgression leading to animal rebirth and destitution. The verse functions as a deterrent and a moral boundary around offerings."}
Concept: Sacred boundaries (maryādā) around yajña are inviolable; adharma yields karmic devolution (tiryaktva) and loss of dignity.
Application: Maintain strict handling of offerings; ensure proper distribution (to priests/ritual rules) and avoid appropriation; if violated, seek prescribed prāyaścitta from dharma authorities.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Ācāra (Expiations, vows, and conduct)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cautionary scene: a person secretly eating from a sacrificial offering near the fire, followed by a symbolic vision of animal rebirth and the person reduced to wearing only a loincloth and ragged blanket in cold surroundings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic moral panel: homa fire and offering ladle, transgressor eating haviḥ, above/behind a symbolic animal form indicating rebirth, stark contrast colors, expressive eyes, temple narrative framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sacrificial altar with gold accents, transgressor in foreground, later-life destitution shown as secondary vignette with minimal clothing and blanket, ornate borders and gilded halos for sacred fire.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential narrative (two frames): (1) improper eating of oblation at homa, (2) consequence—animal silhouette and impoverished figure with kaupīna and kanthā; fine lines, clear didactic labeling.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-time yajña scene with subtle lighting, transgressor caught in act, second vignette of exile-like poverty in winter with blanket, delicate landscape and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; आहुतं हविः (हविः द्वितीया एकवचन); कौपीनाच्छादनं = कौपीन-आच्छादनम्; शीतनिवारिणीं = शीत-निवारिणीम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana: prāyaścitta sections for sacrificial violations; Agni Purana: yajña/homa procedural chapters on handling haviḥ
FAQs
It states a prāyaścitta-dharma rule: consuming havis that has already been offered as āhuti is a serious ritual transgression, leading to severe karmic result and degraded living conditions.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana catalogues practical dharma topics—here, detailed yajña-ethics and consequences for violations—showing its wide scope across ritual law, conduct, and expiation.
It warns that disrespecting consecrated offerings (havis) corrupts ritual purity and accrues grave karma, expressed as rebirth in a lower (animal) state and a life of hardship.