Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 40
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
वापनं विक्रयञ्चैव नीलवस्त्रादिधारणं तपनीयं हि विप्रस्य त्रिभिः कृछ्रैर् विशुद्ध्यति
vāpanaṃ vikrayañcaiva nīlavastrādidhāraṇaṃ tapanīyaṃ hi viprasya tribhiḥ kṛchrair viśuddhyati
ການໂກນຜົມ (ໂດຍເຫດບໍ່ຄວນ), ການຄ້າຂາຍ (ເປັນອາຊີບ), ແລະການນຸ່ງຜ້າສີນ້ໍາເງິນ/ສີຟ້າ ແລະອື່ນໆ—ເຫຼົ່ານີ້ແທ້ຈິງບໍ່ສົມຄວນສໍາລັບພຣາຫມັນ; ເຂົາຈະບໍລິສຸດໄດ້ໂດຍປະຕິບັດ Kṛcchra ສາມຄັ້ງ।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defines Brahminical improprieties (unwarranted shaving, trade as livelihood, wearing blue garments) and prescribes purification via three Kṛcchra penances—guiding conduct norms and corrective rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Brahminical improprieties and expiation: shaving, trade, blue garments","lookup_keywords":["vāpana","vikraya","nīla-vastra","vipra","kṛcchra"],"quick_summary":"Certain behaviors and markers deemed improper for a Brahmin are listed; three Kṛcchra penances are prescribed to remove the resulting impurity and restore standing."}
Concept: Varṇa-ācāra: social role is maintained through prescribed conduct and external markers; deviations require tapas-based correction.
Application: For role-based ethical systems, treat livelihood/appearance choices as value-laden; if one violates one’s code, undertake structured restitution and recommitment.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prāyaścitta & Śauca: expiations and purification rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Brahmin is shown engaging in improper acts (trade, wearing blue cloth, shaving improperly) and then undertaking three Kṛcchra penances to purify.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative triptych: marketplace trade scene, figure in blue garment, shaving scene; concluding panel shows penitent with simple diet and prayer posture; muted moral tone.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central penitent Brahmin with gold-bordered frame; surrounding small vignettes of trade and blue garment; emphasis on ritual correction with ornate vessels and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: icons representing prohibited acts with arrows to ‘three Kṛcchra’ penance panel; clean lines, readable instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling bazaar with a Brahmin trader, contrasted with a quiet penance scene in a garden pavilion; detailed costumes including blue cloth, refined borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विक्रयञ्चैव = विक्रयम् + च + एव; नीलवस्त्रादिधारणम् = नीलवस्त्रादि + धारणम्; कृछ्रैर् = कृच्छ्रैः (विसर्ग/रेफ-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170.38 (three Kṛcchras as expiation)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiation: three Kṛcchra penances as the ritual remedy for certain conduct faults attributed to a Brahmin (improper shaving, engaging in trade, and wearing blue garments, etc.).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana functions as a dharma compendium by cataloging social-ritual norms and standardized penances (like Kṛcchra), integrating law, ethics, and purification practice into its wide-ranging knowledge system.
The verse frames these actions as doṣas (faults) for a vipra and teaches that disciplined ascetic expiation (three Kṛcchras) restores śuddhi—ritual and moral purity—thereby reducing karmic taint and reestablishing dharmic fitness.