Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
स्तम्भशृङ्खलपाशैर् वा मृते पादोनमाचरेत् काष्ठे शान्तपनं कुर्यात् प्राजापत्यन्तु लोष्ठके
stambhaśṛṅkhalapāśair vā mṛte pādonamācaret kāṣṭhe śāntapanaṃ kuryāt prājāpatyantu loṣṭhake
स्तम्भ, शृंखला या पाश से (किसी प्राणी की) मृत्यु हो जाए तो चौथाई घटाकर प्रायश्चित्त करे। काष्ठ से (मृत्यु होने पर) शान्तपन व्रत करे, और लोष्ठ/ईंट के टुकड़े से (होने पर) प्राजापत्य व्रत करे।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa frame-narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Provides a graded schedule of penances depending on the instrument/cause of death (pillar/chain/noose/wood/clod), useful for expiation decisions by individuals or advisors.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Graded prāyaścitta by cause of death (stambha/śṛṅkhalā/pāśa; kāṣṭha; loṣṭa)","lookup_keywords":["stambha","śṛṅkhalā","pāśa","śāntapana","prājāpatya"],"quick_summary":"If death occurs due to pillar/chain/noose, perform a penance reduced by one quarter; if by wood, do Śāntapana; if by clod/brickbat, do Prājāpatya—showing proportional expiation by causality."}
Concept: Moral-ritual accountability is graded by agency and instrumentality; expiation is calibrated rather than uniform.
Application: When harm results from different implements/causes, choose the corresponding prāyaścitta (including reductions) rather than applying a single blanket penance.
Khanda Section: Prayashchitta (Expiation Rites) / Dharma-shastra
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic depiction of different causes of accidental death—pillar, chain, noose, wood, clod—paired with the prescribed penances (quarter-reduced, Śāntapana, Prājāpatya).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative vignettes around a central dharma-teacher; icons of pillar, chain, noose, wood, clod; the teacher gestures to palm-leaf text naming Śāntapana and Prājāpatya; subdued solemn palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; central seated guru with gold halo; surrounding symbolic objects (stambha, śṛṅkhalā, pāśa, kāṣṭha, loṣṭa) in medallions; gold leaf emphasizing the ‘rule’ nature.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like composition; clear labels for each cause and corresponding penance; fine borders and delicate shading; calm didactic mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; a scholar explaining to a patron; attendants point to illustrated objects (pillar, chain, noose, wood, clod) on a manuscript folio; detailed interior and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पादोनमाचरेत् = पादोनम् + आचरेत्; प्राजापत्यन्तु = प्राजापत्यम् + तु; पाशैर् = पाशैः (visarga/sandhi before vā)
Related Themes: Agni Purana—definitions of Śāntapana and Prājāpatya penances; Agni Purana—general rules on fractional reductions (pāda-ūna) in prāyaścitta
FAQs
It specifies graded prāyaścitta (expiatory penances) depending on the instrument connected with an accidental death—quarter-reduced penance for death by pillar/chain/noose, Śāntapana for wood, and Prājāpatya for a clod/brickbat.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs practical Dharma-shāstra material—fine-grained legal-ritual prescriptions for fault, consequence, and purification—showing its compendium-like coverage of social and religious governance.
The verse frames accidental harm as still requiring purification; by prescribing proportionate penances, it aims to restore ritual and moral balance (śuddhi) and mitigate karmic residue through regulated austerity.