Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
त्र्याहमुष्णं घृतं पीत्वा वायुभक्षो भवेत् त्र्यहं तप्तकृच्छ्रमिदं प्रोक्तं शीतैः शीतं प्रकीर्तितं
tryāhamuṣṇaṃ ghṛtaṃ pītvā vāyubhakṣo bhavet tryahaṃ taptakṛcchramidaṃ proktaṃ śītaiḥ śītaṃ prakīrtitaṃ
ಮೂರು ದಿನ ಬಿಸಿ ತುಪ್ಪವನ್ನು ಕುಡಿದು, ನಂತರ ಮೂರು ದಿನ ವಾಯುವನ್ನೇ ಆಹಾರವಾಗಿ ಬದುಕಬೇಕು. ಇದನ್ನು ‘ತಪ್ತಕೃಚ್ಛ್ರ’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ; ಶೀತ (ತುಪ್ಪಾದಿ)ದಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಅದೇ ‘ಶೀತ’ (ಕೃಚ್ಛ್ರ) ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Applying a heat/cold-based fasting protocol (taptakṛcchra/śīta-kṛcchra) using warm/cold ghee and subsequent air-only living as a severe austerity with bodily implications.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Taptakṛcchra and Śīta-kṛcchra — Ghee-drinking and air-only phase","lookup_keywords":["taptakṛcchra","śīta kṛcchra","uṣṇa ghṛta","vāyubhakṣa","prāyaścitta fasting"],"quick_summary":"For three days one drinks warm ghee, then for three days subsists on air alone; done with cold substances it is termed the Śīta variant—both are severe, tightly defined expiatory fasts."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Tapas employs controlled extremes (heat/cold; intake/abstinence) to cultivate mastery over bodily impulses for purification.
Application: Use graded austerities with clear endpoints; do not confuse self-harm with sādhanā—follow defined limits and suitability (adhikāra).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Prāyaścitta / Tapas-related fasting observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic drinks warm ghee for three days, then sits in meditation during a three-day air-only fast, with visual contrast of heat (sun/fire) and cold variant (moon/snow).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic with a small brass vessel of warm ghee, later shown seated in deep meditation with minimal surroundings, symbolic sun (taptā) and moon (śīta) motifs, earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ascetic figure with gold halo-like ornamentation, holding a ghee vessel; side vignette of meditative fasting, gold work highlighting sun/moon emblems for taptakṛcchra/śīta","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional two-stage depiction: stage 1 drinking uṣṇa-ghṛta (3 days), stage 2 vāyubhakṣa (3 days), clean labels and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a sparse garden pavilion, delicate rendering of a small cup of ghee, then a later scene of still meditation with empty plate, atmospheric light indicating heat/cold contrast"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्र्याहमुष्णं→त्र्यहम्+उष्णम्; तप्तकृच्छ्रमिदं→तप्तकृच्छ्रम्+इदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (kṛcchra classifications and purificatory regimens)
FAQs
It prescribes the procedure for the Taptakṛcchra expiation: three days of warm ghee intake followed by three days of subsisting on air (fasting); it also notes a cold-mode variant called Śīta.
By cataloging standardized expiatory observances (prāyaścitta) with precise dietary/fasting protocols, it functions like a dharma-and-ritual manual alongside the text’s many other technical subjects.
The kṛcchra austerity is a purification rite intended to reduce the karmic weight of faults through controlled diet, fasting, and disciplined endurance (tapas).