Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
चान्द्रायणं पराको वा प्राजापत्यमघौघनुत् सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशदिमन्त्रजप्यमघौघनुत्
cāndrāyaṇaṃ parāko vā prājāpatyamaghaughanut sūryeśaśaktiśrīśadimantrajapyamaghaughanut
चान्द्रायण-व्रत, या पराक-उपवास, अथवा प्राजापत्य-प्रायश्चित्त—ये पाप-समूहों का नाश करते हैं। इसी प्रकार सूर्य, ईश, शक्ति और श्रीश आदि से आरम्भ होने वाले मन्त्रों का जप भी पाप-राशि का नाश करता है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Selection of expiatory vows/fasts and mantra-japa options for removing accumulated sin; used by householders and temple communities for purification cycles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sin-destroying vratas and deity-mantra japas (Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, Prājāpatya; Sūrya–Īśa–Śakti–Śrīśa)","lookup_keywords":["cāndrāyaṇa","parāka","prājāpatya","mantra-japa","aghaugha-nut"],"quick_summary":"Three classic penances—Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, and Prājāpatya—are stated to destroy heaps of sin; similarly, japa of mantras addressed to Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, and Śrīśa is also sin-destroying."}
Concept: Pāpa-kṣaya is pursued through tapas (regulated fasting vows) and mantra-sādhana; both bodily discipline and sacred sound are valid purifiers.
Application: Choose an appropriate vrata (per capacity and guidance) and pair it with consistent japa to cultivate restraint and devotional focus.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Vrata-vidhi (Expiatory rites and vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner observes a lunar-regulated fast (Cāndrāyaṇa) with a moon calendar motif, another performs Parāka austerity, and a third undertakes Prājāpatya; alongside, japa to Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, and Śrīśa is shown as parallel purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych of ascetics/householders in vrata observance, crescent moon and sun symbols, subtle deity emblems (trident, lotus, śakti icon), japa-mālā prominent, calm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central panel with four deity presences suggested (Sūrya radiance, Īśa linga/trident, Śakti as Devī, Śrīśa as Viṣṇu), devotee performing japa, gold-leaf halos, side motifs of moon phases for Cāndrāyaṇa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like scene: labeled vratas (Cāndrāyaṇa/Parāka/Prājāpatya) with simple visual cues (moon phases, fasting posture), plus japa to four deities, clean outlines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined domestic courtyard: a devotee with rosary facing a small sun-emblem shrine, attendants marking lunar days on a manuscript, delicate architectural borders, narrative clarity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चान्द्रायणम् (चन्द्र + अयन/आयण) स्थिर-प्रातिपदिक; सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशादि + मन्त्रजप्यम् → एकसमासपदम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vrata-vidhi materials (Cāndrāyaṇa/Parāka/Prājāpatya); Agni Purana: mantra sections for Sūrya, Śiva (Īśa), Devī (Śakti), and Viṣṇu (Śrīśa)
FAQs
It prescribes recognized expiatory disciplines—Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, and Prājāpatya—and adds mantra-japa (repetition) of deity-mantras (Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, Śrīśa) as effective means for purification.
It catalogues multiple, alternative prāyaścittas (vows/penances) alongside mantra-based practice, showing the text’s broad coverage of dharma: ritual law, atonement systems, and practical devotional techniques.
The verse frames these penances and mantra-japa as “aghaughanut”—removers of accumulated karmic demerit—indicating their role in moral restoration, ritual purity, and rebuilding spiritual eligibility for worship and dharmic life.