Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 22
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
द्विजश्चान्द्रायणं कुर्यात्तप्तकृच्छ्रमथापि वा भाण्डसङ्कलसङ्कीर्णश्चाण्डालादिजुगुप्सितैः
dvijaścāndrāyaṇaṃ kuryāttaptakṛcchramathāpi vā bhāṇḍasaṅkalasaṅkīrṇaścāṇḍālādijugupsitaiḥ
ദ്വിജൻ ചണ്ഡാലാദി അപവിത്രജനങ്ങളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട പാത്രങ്ങൾ, ശൃംഖലകൾ മുതലായ വസ്തുക്കളുടെ സ്പർശം മൂലം മലിനനായാൽ ചാന്ദ്രായണ പ്രായശ്ചിത്തം ചെയ്യണം; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ പകരമായി തപ്ത-കൃച്ഛ്രം ആചരിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prescribes penances (Cāndrāyaṇa or Tapta-Kṛcchra) for dvija defilement via contact with contaminated objects (vessels, fetters) linked to outcastes/reprehensible persons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Cāndrāyaṇa / Tapta-Kṛcchra for dvija defiled by caṇḍāla-associated objects","lookup_keywords":["cāndrāyaṇa","tapta-kṛcchra","bhāṇḍa","saṅkala","aśauca"],"quick_summary":"When a twice-born is defiled through contact with vessels, chains, or similar items associated with caṇḍālas and other censured persons, the expiation is Cāndrāyaṇa or alternatively Tapta-Kṛcchra."}
Concept: Ritual status is affected not only by persons but by objects (saṃsarga-doṣa); tapas-based vows restore eligibility.
Application: In communal/temple contexts, avoid shared contaminated implements; if contact occurs, adopt graded penance (lunar-vow or heated kṛcchra) per capacity.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiatory Rites and Purification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija discovers defilement from touching a contaminated vessel/chain; he undertakes a lunar-measured Cāndrāyaṇa or the austere Tapta-Kṛcchra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized dvija holding a defiled pot and chain at a distance, then seated in tapas with lunar disc motifs above, simple ritual fire nearby, flat sacred geometry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted crescent-to-full moon arc above the penitent, ornate vessel depicted to the side, priestly figure with prayer beads, temple-pillared frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic panel showing two options: Cāndrāyaṇa with moon phases and measured morsels; Tapta-Kṛcchra with heated austerity symbols, fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative split-scene: contact with objects in a bazaar/yard; then penance in a quiet chamber with moon chart, meticulous objects and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विजश्चान्द्रायणं = द्विजः + च + आन्द्रायणम्; कुर्यात्तप्तकृच्छ्रमथापि वा = कुर्यात् + तप्तकृच्छ्रम् + अथ + अपि + वा; सङ्कीर्णश्चाण्डालादिजुगुप्सितैः = सङ्कीर्णः + चाण्डालादिजुगुप्सितैः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (penance gradations)
FAQs
It prescribes specific expiatory rites—Cāndrāyaṇa or Tapta-Kṛcchra—for a dvija who incurs ritual defilement through contact with impure persons/associations and their objects (e.g., vessels, shackles).
Alongside theology and mythology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves Dharma-śāstra material—practical legal-ritual guidelines for purity, social conduct, and atonement—showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
It frames impurity as a karmically consequential breach of ritual order and teaches that disciplined penance restores purity (śuddhi), eligibility for rites, and religious merit through regulated self-restraint.