Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 29
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
द्रव्याणामल्पसाराणां स्तेयं कृत्वान्यवेश्मतः चरेच्छान्तपनं कृच्छं व्रतं निर्वाप्य सिद्ध्यति
dravyāṇāmalpasārāṇāṃ steyaṃ kṛtvānyaveśmataḥ carecchāntapanaṃ kṛcchaṃ vrataṃ nirvāpya siddhyati
Habiendo robado objetos de escaso valor de la casa ajena, debe practicarse el voto expiatorio Śāntapana Kṛcchra; cumplida debidamente esa observancia, uno queda purificado (la expiación se consuma).
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dharma and expiation section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prescribing a specific kṛcchra-vrata (Śāntapana) as expiation for petty theft, giving a standardized remedy for minor property transgressions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śāntapana Kṛcchra for theft of low-value goods","lookup_keywords":["steya","alpa-sāra dravya","anyaveśma","śāntapana kṛcchra","śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"For stealing items of small value from another’s house, the Śāntapana Kṛcchra vow is prescribed; completion of the observance effects purification."}
Concept: Restorative discipline for social harm: minor theft is met with a defined austerity to realign conduct and conscience.
Application: Adopt a time-bound vow with restraint and restitution-mindedness to prevent recurrence and re-establish trust.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Prāyaścitta (Dharmaśāstra: expiations for theft and moral transgressions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder returning a small stolen item and then undertaking austerity under a teacher’s guidance; a scroll labeled ‘Śāntapana Kṛcchra’ symbolizes the prescribed vow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, penitent offering back a small object to a household; rishi nearby indicating a vow; restrained palette, emphasis on moral correction.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central rishi with gold-leaf arch; penitent with folded hands holding a small item; vow-scroll motif; ornate but solemn composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with clear gestures: restitution, then seated observance; fine linework, calm instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic courtyard of ‘another’s house’; subtle narrative of theft confession and guidance by a scholar; detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्रव्याणामल्पसाराणां → द्रव्याणाम् + अल्पसाराणाम्; कृत्वान्यवेश्मतः → कृत्वा + अन्यवेश्मतः; चरेच्छान्तपनम् → चरेत् + शान्तपनम् (त् + श् → च्छ्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (kṛcchra typology and theft-related expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific prāyaścitta: the Śāntapana Kṛcchra vow as the expiation for stealing low-value items from another person’s house.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical Dharmaśāstra material—here, a graded legal-ritual remedy (penance) for a defined offence (minor theft), showing its coverage of governance, ethics, and ritual law.
The verse frames theft as a karmically binding act and teaches that disciplined expiation (kṛcchra-vrata) can ritually and morally restore purity, enabling the offender to re-enter dharmic life.