Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
मुण्डनं सर्वकृच्छ्रेषु स्नानं होमो हरेर्यजिः उत्थितस्तु दिवा तिष्ठेदुपविष्टस् तथा निशि
muṇḍanaṃ sarvakṛcchreṣu snānaṃ homo hareryajiḥ utthitastu divā tiṣṭhedupaviṣṭas tathā niśi
ໃນການຖືທຸກຮູບແບບຂອງ ກຣິຈຈະຣະ (Kṛcchra) ກຳນົດໃຫ້ໂກນຜົມ (ມຸນດະນະ), ອາບນ້ຳ, ຖວາຍໂຮມໃນໄຟ, ແລະນະມັດສະການພຣະຫະຣິ (ວິສນຸ). ກາງວັນໃຫ້ຢືນຢູ່, ແລະກາງຄືນໃຫ້ນັ່ງຢູ່ເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນ।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Implement kṛcchra penance protocol: tonsure, bath, homa, Hari-pūjā, and regulated postures (standing by day, sitting by night) as a structured austerity program.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṛcchra-prāyaścitta: Mūṇḍana, Snāna, Homa, Hari-yajana, and Posture Rules","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","mūṇḍana","snāna","homa","Hari-yajana"],"quick_summary":"Kṛcchra expiations are defined by bodily purification (tonsure, bathing), ritual acts (homa), devotional worship (Hari), and strict daily posture discipline. The regimen is meant to intensify tapas and restore ritual-ethical purity."}
Concept: Tapas expressed through regulated body, ritual, and devotion functions as expiation.
Application: Follow a time-bound austerity with clear do’s/don’ts; combine bodily discipline with devotional orientation to prevent mere self-torture.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Vrata-vidhi (Expiations, Atonements, and Purificatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic-penitent with freshly shaven head stands through the day near a homa altar, then sits upright at night; nearby a simple Viṣṇu shrine indicates Hari-yajana; bathing vessel and ritual implements are present.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, shaved-headed penitent in white, homa fire with stylized flames, small Viṣṇu shrine lamp, day-night split composition (sun and moon), austere temple-ashram setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu shrine with gold embellishment, penitent standing with folded hands, homa altar foreground with gold highlights, rich drapery and ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diptych: daytime standing posture and nighttime seated posture, labeled ritual items (kunda, ladle, kalaśa), gentle shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative day-to-night scene in one frame, penitent standing by day under sun, seated by night under moon, detailed ritual utensils and small shrine architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हरेर्यजिः = हरेः + यजिः; तिष्ठेदुपविष्टस् = तिष्ठेत् + उपविष्टः (त् + उ → द् उ, तथा सन्धि); उपविष्टस् = उपविष्टः (विसर्ग/ः → स् before consonant).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171.4 (vīrāsana/yati-cāndrāyaṇa); Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on Hari-pūjā and homa
FAQs
It specifies core observances for Kṛcchra-type penances: tonsure (muṇḍana), ritual bath (snāna), fire oblations (homa), worship of Hari (Viṣṇu), and a disciplined posture-regimen—standing by day and sitting by night.
By codifying practical, rule-based details of expiation (prāyaścitta)—including bodily discipline, daily conduct, and ritual acts—this verse exemplifies how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of applied dharma alongside its broader mythic and doctrinal materials.
These acts are meant to purify wrongdoing through austerity and ritual merit: bodily restraint (standing/sitting discipline), cleansing (snāna), sanctification via fire (homa), and devotion to Hari together support karmic expiation and restoration of religious purity.