Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
एतद्वीरासनं प्रोक्तं कृच्छ्रकृत्तेन पापहा अष्टभिः प्रत्यहं ग्रासैर् यतिचान्द्रायणं स्मृतं
etadvīrāsanaṃ proktaṃ kṛcchrakṛttena pāpahā aṣṭabhiḥ pratyahaṃ grāsair yaticāndrāyaṇaṃ smṛtaṃ
Inilah yang disebut ‘Vīrāsana’; bila dijalankan sebagai Kṛcchra, ia menjadi penebusan yang menghancurkan dosa. Adapun ‘Yati-Cāndrāyaṇa’ diingat sebagai disiplin mengambil delapan suap makanan setiap hari.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Practice the specified austerity modes: vīrāsana as a kṛcchra-associated observance, and yati-cāndrāyaṇa by limiting intake to eight mouthfuls daily.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vīrāsana Observance and Yati-Cāndrāyaṇa (Eight Mouthfuls Daily)","lookup_keywords":["vīrāsana","kṛcchra","yati-cāndrāyaṇa","aṣṭa-grāsa","prāyaścitta"],"quick_summary":"Vīrāsana is identified as an expiatory observance within kṛcchra practice, aimed at destroying sin through disciplined posture and tapas. Yati-cāndrāyaṇa is defined by a strict daily ration of eight mouthfuls."}
Concept: Quantified restraint (āhāra-niyama) and disciplined observance function as tools for moral-ritual purification.
Application: Use measurable rules (like fixed mouthfuls) to make vows enforceable; pair with mindfulness and ethical repair.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Vrata-vidhi (Expiatory rites, austerities, and purificatory observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yati performs vīrāsana-like disciplined sitting/steadfast posture as part of kṛcchra; beside him a small plate shows a measured portion symbolizing eight mouthfuls per day (yati-cāndrāyaṇa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic seated in firm posture, minimal food portion depicted symbolically, calm austerity mood, muted earth tones, simple hermitage background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ascetic with gold halo, small measured food offering on leaf plate with gold accents, ornate border, emphasis on vow and restraint","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of counting eight mouthfuls (aṣṭa-grāsa) with small marks, ascetic posture labeled vīrāsana, soft palette and fine lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in sparse room, attendant presenting tiny measured meal, detailed utensils, restrained color scheme, emphasis on discipline and composure"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतद्वीरासनं = एतत् + वीरासनम्; कृच्छ्रकृत्तेन = कृच्छ्र + कृत्तेन (कृत्-रूप); ग्रासैर् = ग्रासैः (विसर्गलोप); यतिचान्द्रायणं = यति + चान्द्रायणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171.3 (kṛcchra components); Agni Purana prāyaścitta listings on cāndrāyaṇa variants
FAQs
It defines two expiatory disciplines: (1) a ‘vīrāsana’ observance classified under kṛcchra-type penance, and (2) the ‘yati-cāndrāyaṇa’ rule of eating exactly eight mouthfuls (grāsa) per day.
By cataloging precise, rule-based prāyaścitta procedures—named vows, their classifications, and measurable dietary limits—the Agni Purāṇa functions as a practical dharma handbook alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics, etc.).
The verse presents controlled intake and austere observance as a means of pāpa-kṣaya (reduction/destruction of demerit), framing disciplined restraint as a concrete method for purification and restoration of dharmic balance.