Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
पत्रकृच्छ्रन्तथा पत्रैस्तोयकृच्छ्रं जलेन तु मूलकृच्छ्रन्तथा मूलैर् दृध्न क्षीरेण तक्रतः
patrakṛcchrantathā patraistoyakṛcchraṃ jalena tu mūlakṛcchrantathā mūlair dṛdhna kṣīreṇa takrataḥ
De même, la pénitence «Patra-kṛcchra» s’accomplit avec des feuilles seules ; la «Toya-kṛcchra» avec de l’eau seule ; la «Mūla-kṛcchra» avec des racines ; et les formes restantes s’observent respectivement avec du caillé (curd), avec du lait et avec du babeurre (buttermilk).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narration framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Applying specific single-substance diets (leaves, water, roots, curd, milk, buttermilk) as named kṛcchra penances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Patra-, Toya-, Mūla-kṛcchra and dairy-based kṛcchra variants","lookup_keywords":["patra-kṛcchra","toya-kṛcchra","mūla-kṛcchra","dadhi","takra"],"quick_summary":"Lists kṛcchra types defined by exclusive intake: leaves, water, roots, and dairy items such as curd, milk, and buttermilk."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Purificatory discipline is operationalized through controlled intake; naming conventions encode the method (substance-based taxonomy).
Application: Choosing an observance that matches capacity and context (e.g., dairy-based vs. water-only), while keeping the vow’s exclusivity rule.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta / Vrata-vidhi (Expiatory rites and austerities)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic arrangement: separate vessels containing leaves, a water pot, roots, curd, milk, and buttermilk, with a penitent indicating exclusive consumption for each named kṛcchra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual vessels and natural items arranged symmetrically, penitent seated with kamandalu, stylized leaves and roots, creamy white dairy pots, palm-leaf text naming each kṛcchra.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate pots for milk/curd/buttermilk with gold accents, central ascetic figure, decorative border, symbolic purity motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like scene with labeled containers (patra, toya, mūla, dadhi, kṣīra, takra), fine detailing and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic still-life of vessels and food items on a mat, penitent and helper, careful rendering of textures (water sheen, dairy), marginal floral designs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पत्रकृच्छ्रन्तथा = पत्र-कृच्छ्रम् तथा; पत्रैस्तोयकृच्छ्रं = पत्रैः तोय-कृच्छ्रम्; मूलकृच्छ्रन्तथा = मूल-कृच्छ्रम् तथा; मूलैर् = मूलैः. ‘दृध्न’ तथा ‘तक्रतः’ पाठे सन्देहः—सम्पादितपाठे भेदः सम्भवः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (kṛcchra taxonomy by intake)
FAQs
It defines specific variants of the Kṛcchra expiatory penance by prescribing the permitted single-substance diet: leaves, water, roots, curd, milk, and buttermilk (each constituting a named kṛcchra-type).
By cataloging precise prāyaścitta sub-types and their dietary protocols, it preserves Dharmaśāstra-style procedural detail within a Purāṇic text—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical religious law alongside theology.
These regulated austerities function as disciplined self-restraint meant to atone for faults and restore ritual purity, thereby reducing negative karmic residue through prescribed, measurable penance.