Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
गुरुतल्पव्रतं कुर्याद्रेतः सिक्त्वा स्वयोनिषु सख्युः पुत्रस्य च स्त्रीषु कुमारोष्वन्त्यजासु च
gurutalpavrataṃ kuryādretaḥ siktvā svayoniṣu sakhyuḥ putrasya ca strīṣu kumāroṣvantyajāsu ca
Ayant répandu sa semence dans des femmes de son propre groupe de parenté interdit, ou dans les épouses d’un ami ou d’un fils, ou dans des jeunes filles non mariées, ou dans des femmes des communautés les plus basses/impures, on doit entreprendre la pénitence appelée gurutalpa-vrata.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common framing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determines expiation (gurutalpa-vrata) for specified sexual transgressions involving prohibited relations and protected social bonds.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gurutalpa-vrata for illicit intercourse in prohibited kinship and protected relations","lookup_keywords":["gurutalpa-vrata","retaḥ-seka","svayoni","sakhyustrī","antyajā"],"quick_summary":"For semen discharge into women of prohibited kin-group and other gravely forbidden relations, the text prescribes the gurutalpa-vrata. The entry classifies the offense as severe and assigns a named penance."}
Concept: Protection of social/kinship order and restraint of kāma through graded penances for grave transgressions.
Application: Recognize severity gradations in dharma-violations and undertake prescribed vows/discipline to restore ethical and ritual standing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Vows)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn dharma-assembly: a penitent sits with lowered head before a learned brāhmaṇa/judge who indicates the gurutalpa-vrata; background shows symbolic boundary lines of kinship and social bonds, emphasizing prohibition and expiation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple-court setting with a dharma-teacher seated on a low seat, penitent kneeling; stylized palm-leaf manuscript labeled ‘gurutalpa’; subdued palette, strong outlines, moral gravity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, formal vow-taking scene: penitent before guru/priest, gold-leaf arch, ritual vessels and a vow-scroll; emphasis on repentance and discipline, rich reds with solemn mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: teacher pointing to a written ‘gurutalpa-vrata’ rule; penitent seated with simple cloth; minimal background, fine detailing of manuscript and ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, legal-ethical consultation in a courtyard: qadi-like pandit with attendants, penitent in plain dress; manuscript open; careful facial expressions conveying shame and instruction; muted tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्याद्रेतः = कुर्यात् + रेतः; कुमारोष्वन्त्यजासु = कुमारेषु + अन्त्यजासु (eṣu+a→oṣva sandhi in text).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Prāyaścitta-khaṇḍa: definitions of mahāpātaka and named vratas (gurutalpa, kṛcchra, cāndrāyaṇa)
FAQs
It specifies a dharmaśāstric expiation: the gurutalpa-vrata is prescribed as a formal penance for particular categories of illicit sexual discharge, functioning as a ritual-legal remedy (prāyaścitta).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical normative material—here, jurisprudential/ethical guidance on offenses and expiations—showing its coverage of dharma, social regulation, and ritual law.
The verse treats these acts as grave adharma producing heavy demerit; undertaking the prescribed vrata is presented as a means to purify the transgression and mitigate karmic consequences through regulated austerity and expiation.