Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
पाक्षं प्रसृत्या लाजानां ब्रह्मकूर्चं तथा भवेत् उपोषितश् चतुर्दृश्यां पञ्चदश्यामनन्तरं
pākṣaṃ prasṛtyā lājānāṃ brahmakūrcaṃ tathā bhavet upoṣitaś caturdṛśyāṃ pañcadaśyāmanantaraṃ
En mesurant des grains grillés (lājā) selon la mesure «prasṛti» pendant une quinzaine, on accomplit l’observance dite Brahma-kūrca ; et l’on doit jeûner le quatorzième jour lunaire, immédiatement suivi (du jeûne/de l’observance) du quinzième.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual instructions, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Performance of the Brahma-kūrca expiatory observance using measured lājā intake over a fortnight with specific fasting on caturdaśī and pañcadaśī.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Brahma-kūrca Vrata (lājā-prasṛti for a fortnight; caturdaśī–pañcadaśī upavāsa)","lookup_keywords":["Brahma-kurca","laja","prasrti","caturdashi","pancadashi"],"quick_summary":"Measure out parched grains by the prasṛti measure for a fortnight as the Brahma-kūrca observance, with fasting prescribed on the 14th lunar day and immediately on the 15th."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta through regulated diet, measure (māna), and timed fasting aligned to tithi.
Application: Adopt disciplined, time-bound restraint as a corrective practice after lapses, observing lunar-day rules.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vrata-vidhi (Ritual observances, fasting, and expiatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vrata-observer measuring parched grains (lājā) with a prasṛti measure, keeping a fortnightly regimen, and observing caturdaśī and pañcadaśī fasting under a lunar calendar setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, muted earth pigments, a calm ascetic seated on a mat, holding a small prasṛti measure over a bowl of lājā, lunar fortnight symbols in the background, ritual purity ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on ritual vessels, devotee with prasṛti measure and bowl of lājā, stylized moon phases (caturdaśī and pañcadaśī) in a decorative arch, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing the exact hand-measure (prasṛti) and measured grains, annotated lunar-day icons for 14th and 15th, instructional composition with gentle pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic-ritual interior, devotee measuring lājā with hand-cup measure, calendar folio showing fortnight and full-moon day, delicate textiles and precise objects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caturdṛśyāṃ = caturdaśyāṃ (orthographic variant); pañcadaśyām anantaram → pañcadaśyāmanantaram; upoṣitaḥ (before ca) → upoṣitaś ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (kṛcchra/vrata and prāyaścitta rules); Agni Purana 173 (sarvapāpa-prāyaścitta continuation)
FAQs
It specifies the Brahma-kūrca observance: measuring and using parched grains (lājā) by the prasṛti measure over a fortnight, with fasting specifically on the 14th and then the 15th lunar day consecutively.
It preserves precise operational details—units of measure (prasṛti), calendrical timing (caturdaśī/pañcadaśī), and named expiation (Brahma-kūrca)—showing the text’s coverage of practical ritual law alongside its broader mythic and doctrinal material.
Brahma-kūrca functions as a purificatory discipline: regulated diet/offerings and timed fasting are framed as means to reduce ritual impurity and negative karma through controlled austerity (tapas) and observance aligned with lunar tithis.