Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 53
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
तद्भैक्ष्यभुग् जपन्नित्यं त्रिभिर्वर्षैर् व्यपोहति पितृव्यदारगमने भ्रातृभार्यागमे तथा
tadbhaikṣyabhug japannityaṃ tribhirvarṣair vyapohati pitṛvyadāragamane bhrātṛbhāryāgame tathā
वह भिक्षा पर निर्वाह करके और नित्य जप करते हुए तीन वर्षों में उस पाप का नाश कर देता है—जो पितृव्य (चाचा) की पत्नी के पास जाने से तथा भाई की पत्नी के पास जाने से होता है।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prescribes a time-bound penance (three years) combining bhikṣā-vṛtti and daily japa for specific prohibited relations, usable for prāyaścitta determination and personal discipline.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Three-year bhikṣā-vṛtti with daily japa for pitr̥vya-dāra and bhrātṛ-bhāryā transgression","lookup_keywords":["bhaiṣyabhuk","nitya-japa","trivārṣika","pitr̥vya-dāra","bhrātṛ-bhāryā"],"quick_summary":"For approaching the paternal uncle’s wife or the brother’s wife, the text prescribes living on alms and performing daily japa; the sin is said to be removed within three years."}
Concept: Atonement is operationalized as sustained self-restraint (bhikṣā-vṛtti) plus mantra-japa over a defined duration, emphasizing transformation through regulated living.
Application: Adopt structured daily practice (japa + austerity) as a corrective regimen under guidance of an ācārya, with clear duration and lifestyle constraints.
Khanda Section: Prayashchitta (Expiations) / Dharma-shastra (Codes of conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent living as a mendicant for a fixed term: receiving alms, seated in a quiet place performing japa with a mālā, conveying long-term discipline and purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, a simple hut or temple corridor, penitent in plain cloth holding japa-mālā, villagers offering bhikṣā, calm sacred ambience, stylized foliage, emphasis on austerity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central penitent with subtle halo (not divine), gold accents on a small shrine in the background, alms bowl, mālā, devotional-didactic mood, rich but restrained composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: penitent seated in padmāsana, mālā and kamaṇḍalu, a small caption-like space indicating ‘trivārṣika japa-bhikṣā’, soft colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed street/temple steps scene: alms being given, penitent reciting softly, delicate architecture, emphasis on everyday discipline and time-bound practice."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्भैक्ष्यभुग् = तत् + भैक्ष्यभुक्; जपन्नित्यं = जपन् + नित्यम्; त्रिभिर्वर्षैर् = त्रिभिः + वर्षैः; भ्रातृभार्यागमे = भ्रातृ-भार्या-गमे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (graded prāyaścitta for sexual transgressions)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiation: sustained mantra-japa while subsisting on alms-food for three years to atone for sexual approach to prohibited relatives (uncle’s wife or brother’s wife).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs Dharma-style jurisprudence and penances—practical social-ethical regulations and remedial rites—showing its coverage of law, conduct, and ritual discipline.
The act is treated as a grave transgression; the long-term discipline of alms-living and daily japa is presented as a means to purify the karmic fault and restore moral-religious order.