Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 29
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
अन्त्यावसायिनामन्नं भुक्त्वा चान्द्रायणं चरेत् आपत्काले शूद्रगृहे मनस्तापेन शुद्ध्यति
antyāvasāyināmannaṃ bhuktvā cāndrāyaṇaṃ caret āpatkāle śūdragṛhe manastāpena śuddhyati
अन्त्यावसायियों का अन्न खाकर चान्द्रायण प्रायश्चित्त करना चाहिए। पर आपत्काल में शूद्र के घर (भोजन करने पर) केवल मनस्ताप से ही शुद्धि होती है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prescribes Cāndrāyaṇa expiation for eating food of antyāvasāyins; provides an emergency exception where mental remorse suffices for eating in a śūdra’s house.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Cāndrāyaṇa for eating antyāvasāyin food; āpaddharma exception","lookup_keywords":["antyāvasāyin","cāndrāyaṇa","āpaddharma","śūdra-gṛha","manastāpa"],"quick_summary":"Ordinarily, eating food from those outside the settled social order requires Cāndrāyaṇa; in emergencies, eating at a śūdra’s house is purified by sincere mental remorse alone."}
Concept: Dharma is contextual: strict expiation applies in normal conditions, but in emergency (āpaddharma) intention and remorse (manastāpa) can restore purity.
Application: When survival or crisis forces compromise, acknowledge the breach, cultivate genuine remorse, and return to normative conduct; do not weaponize rules against necessity.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Shaucha-Prayashchitta (Purification and Expiation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent undertaking Cāndrāyaṇa with lunar symbolism (waxing/waning moon); contrasted with an emergency scene where a traveler eats in a humble house and later performs mental remorse in prayerful posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: moon-cycle band above a seated ascetic measuring food portions (cāndrāyaṇa), and a secondary vignette of a weary traveler at a simple dwelling, later shown in inward repentance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central moon disc with gold leaf; the practitioner in austerity, minimal food bowl; side panel showing emergency hospitality, emphasizing dharma’s compassion.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional depiction of lunar phases guiding intake; annotations-like visual cues; second panel showing ‘manastāpa’—hands in añjali, contemplative face.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed domestic interior of a modest home offering food; later, the same figure in a quiet garden at night under the moon, reflecting in remorse."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चान्द्रायणम् = च + आन्द्रायणम् (orthographic: cāndrāyaṇam); compounds: आपत्काले, शूद्रगृहे, मनस्तापेन are tatpuruṣa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (āpaddharma allowances within prāyaścitta)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiation (Cāndrāyaṇa) for eating ritually censured food, while also stating an emergency rule (āpaddharma) where contrition (manastāpa) suffices for purification when eating at a Śūdra’s house.
It illustrates the Purāṇa’s dharma-shāstra layer: detailed rules on purity, expiation, and exceptions during crisis—showing how the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical legal-ritual guidance alongside theology and other sciences.
The verse frames impurity as remediable through disciplined penance, and in emergencies emphasizes sincere inner repentance—highlighting intention (bhāva) and remorse as spiritually purifying when strict ritual options are constrained.