Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Srāvādya-śauca
Impurity due to bodily discharge and allied causes
हीने हीनतरे चैव त्र्यहश् चतुरहस् तथा पञ्चाहेनाग्निहीनस्तु दशाहाद्ब्राह्मणव्रुवः
hīne hīnatare caiva tryahaś caturahas tathā pañcāhenāgnihīnastu daśāhādbrāhmaṇavruvaḥ
ເມື່ອໄລຍະທີ່ກໍານົດຂາດ ຫຼືຂາດຫນັກກວ່ານັ້ນ ການແກ້ໄຂ/ຊໍາລະ (prāyaścitta) ແມ່ນ 3 ມື້ ຫຼື 4 ມື້ ຕາມລໍາດັບ. ຖ້າຂາດການຮັກສາໄຟສັກສິດ 5 ມື້ ແລ້ວ ການແກ້ໄຂແມ່ນ 10 ມື້—ດັ່ງທີ່ປະເພນີພຣາຫມັນກ່າວໄວ້।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Specifying prāyaścitta (expiation) durations for deficiencies in prescribed observances, including lapse in maintaining sacred fires—useful for householders and administrators enforcing ritual norms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta Durations for Deficient Observance and Agni-lapse","lookup_keywords":["prāyaścitta","hīna","tryaha caturaha pañcāha","agni-hīna","daśāha"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates expiations: for deficient prescriptions, three or four days; for being without sacred fire for five days, ten days of expiation, as per brāhmaṇa tradition."}
Concept: Dharma includes corrective mechanisms; lapses in obligatory rites (especially agni-maintenance) are repaired through time-bound expiation.
Application: If household sacred fire duties are interrupted, apply the stated expiation durations to restore ritual standing before resuming full rites and communal participation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dharma-shastra (Prāyaścitta / Aśauca-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder’s fire altar shown neglected, then restored; a priest indicates a tablet listing 3-day, 4-day, and 10-day expiations for specific lapses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-part narrative: dimmed hearth and then rekindled agni-kuṇḍa, priest with palm-leaf listing tryaha/caturaha/daśāha, restrained palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central agni-kuṇḍa with gold flames, side panel showing ‘agni-hīna’ lapse crossed, priest presenting expiation list, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic chart-like painting: columns for lapse type and expiation days, with small vignettes of neglected fire and restored ritual.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic ritual room with detailed objects, learned brāhmaṇa explaining expiation schedule to a householder, marginal numerals 3/4/10."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव → च + एव; पञ्चाहेनाग्निहीनस्तु → पञ्चाहेन + अग्निहीनः + तु; दशाहाद्ब्राह्मणव्रुवः → दशाहात् + ब्राह्मणव्रुवः. ‘त्र्यहः/चतुरहः’ are dvigu compounds with elided ‘अहः’ base.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 158 (aśauca/prāyaścitta context)
FAQs
It specifies graded expiation periods for deficiencies in prescribed observances, including a concrete rule for a lapse in maintaining the sacred fire (agnihīna) and the corresponding penance duration.
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical dharma-shastra material—procedural rules on ritual discipline and expiation—showing its coverage of law-like and liturgical regulations.
It frames ritual negligence—especially neglect of the sacred fire—as a karmically consequential lapse that can be purified through time-bound penance, restoring ritual fitness and religious order (dharma).