Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
अप्रदुष्टां स्त्रियं हत्वा शूद्रहत्याव्रतं चरेत् पञ्चगव्यं पिवेद्गोघ्नो मासमासीत संयतः
apraduṣṭāṃ striyaṃ hatvā śūdrahatyāvrataṃ caret pañcagavyaṃ pivedgoghno māsamāsīta saṃyataḥ
បើសម្លាប់ស្ត្រីសុចរិត (មិនមានកំហុស) គួរអនុវត្តវ្រតប្រាយស្ចិតដែលកំណត់សម្រាប់ការសម្លាប់សូទ្រា។ តែអ្នកសម្លាប់គោ គួរផឹក «បញ្ចគវ្យ» ហើយដោយការគ្រប់គ្រងខ្លួន ស្នាក់នៅធ្វើបាបស្ចិតរយៈមួយខែ។
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Prescribes specific expiations: equating killing an innocent woman with śūdra-hatyā penance; for cow-killing, pañcagavya intake and month-long restraint.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta for killing an innocent woman; gohatyā remedy with pañcagavya","lookup_keywords":["apradūṣṭā-strī-vadha","śūdra-hatyā-vrata","gohatyā","pañcagavya","māsa-niyama"],"quick_summary":"Killing an innocent woman requires the śūdra-hatyā observance; cow-killing is expiated by drinking pañcagavya and observing self-restraint for one month."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as moral repair through regulated austerity and purification; special protection of the cow as a dharmic pillar.
Application: When grave harm occurs, undertake structured penance (vrata/niyama) rather than denial; combine inner restraint with prescribed purificants.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Atonements)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent sits in restraint for a month, receiving a small vessel of pañcagavya from a priest; in the background a protected cow is shown, emphasizing the gravity of gohatyā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic penitent seated on mat, priest holding ritual vessel, cow depicted calmly behind, stylized foliage, strong outlines and earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central cow with gold halo-like ornamentation, penitent and priest in foreground with gilded vessel, ornate border, rich gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of ritual procedure: vessel, measured intake, calendar-like month motif, soft colors and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtyard scene, priest offering a cup, penitent seated with downcast gaze, detailed cow and attendants, delicate rendering of textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pivedgoghnaḥ = pivet + go-ghnaḥ (t/d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (gohatyā and homicide expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes specific prāyaścitta (atonement) measures: adopting the Śūdra-hatyā expiation for killing an innocent woman, and drinking pañcagavya with a month-long disciplined observance for cow-slaughter.
It shows the text’s dharma-shāstra dimension by cataloging graded sins and corresponding expiations, alongside ritual substances (like pañcagavya) and time-bound observances—one of the many practical knowledge domains covered by the Agni Purana.
The verse frames grave harm (killing and cow-slaughter) as producing heavy demerit and teaches purification through regulated penance and ritual means, aiming to mitigate karmic consequences and restore ritual-ethical order.