Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
चान्द्रायणं पराको वा प्राजापत्यमघौघनुत् सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशदिमन्त्रजप्यमघौघनुत्
cāndrāyaṇaṃ parāko vā prājāpatyamaghaughanut sūryeśaśaktiśrīśadimantrajapyamaghaughanut
ວຣະຕະຈານທຣາຍະນະ ຫຼື ປະຣາກະ (ອົດອາຫານເຂັ້ມງວດ) ຫຼື ປຣາຈາປັດຍະ (ພິທີຊຳລະບາບ) ທຳລາຍກອງບາບທັງຫຼາຍ. ເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນ ການສວດຈະປະມັນຕຣາທີ່ເລີ່ມດ້ວຍ ສູຣຍະ, ອີສະ, ຊັກຕິ, ແລະ ສຣີຊະ ກໍທຳລາຍກອງບາບໄດ້ເຊັ່ນກັນ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Selection of expiatory vows/fasts and mantra-japa options for removing accumulated sin; used by householders and temple communities for purification cycles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sin-destroying vratas and deity-mantra japas (Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, Prājāpatya; Sūrya–Īśa–Śakti–Śrīśa)","lookup_keywords":["cāndrāyaṇa","parāka","prājāpatya","mantra-japa","aghaugha-nut"],"quick_summary":"Three classic penances—Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, and Prājāpatya—are stated to destroy heaps of sin; similarly, japa of mantras addressed to Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, and Śrīśa is also sin-destroying."}
Concept: Pāpa-kṣaya is pursued through tapas (regulated fasting vows) and mantra-sādhana; both bodily discipline and sacred sound are valid purifiers.
Application: Choose an appropriate vrata (per capacity and guidance) and pair it with consistent japa to cultivate restraint and devotional focus.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Vrata-vidhi (Expiatory rites and vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner observes a lunar-regulated fast (Cāndrāyaṇa) with a moon calendar motif, another performs Parāka austerity, and a third undertakes Prājāpatya; alongside, japa to Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, and Śrīśa is shown as parallel purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych of ascetics/householders in vrata observance, crescent moon and sun symbols, subtle deity emblems (trident, lotus, śakti icon), japa-mālā prominent, calm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central panel with four deity presences suggested (Sūrya radiance, Īśa linga/trident, Śakti as Devī, Śrīśa as Viṣṇu), devotee performing japa, gold-leaf halos, side motifs of moon phases for Cāndrāyaṇa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like scene: labeled vratas (Cāndrāyaṇa/Parāka/Prājāpatya) with simple visual cues (moon phases, fasting posture), plus japa to four deities, clean outlines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined domestic courtyard: a devotee with rosary facing a small sun-emblem shrine, attendants marking lunar days on a manuscript, delicate architectural borders, narrative clarity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चान्द्रायणम् (चन्द्र + अयन/आयण) स्थिर-प्रातिपदिक; सूर्येशशक्तिश्रीशादि + मन्त्रजप्यम् → एकसमासपदम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vrata-vidhi materials (Cāndrāyaṇa/Parāka/Prājāpatya); Agni Purana: mantra sections for Sūrya, Śiva (Īśa), Devī (Śakti), and Viṣṇu (Śrīśa)
FAQs
It prescribes recognized expiatory disciplines—Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, and Prājāpatya—and adds mantra-japa (repetition) of deity-mantras (Sūrya, Īśa, Śakti, Śrīśa) as effective means for purification.
It catalogues multiple, alternative prāyaścittas (vows/penances) alongside mantra-based practice, showing the text’s broad coverage of dharma: ritual law, atonement systems, and practical devotional techniques.
The verse frames these penances and mantra-japa as “aghaughanut”—removers of accumulated karmic demerit—indicating their role in moral restoration, ritual purity, and rebuilding spiritual eligibility for worship and dharmic life.