Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 38
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
चारयेत्त्रीणि कृच्छ्राणि चान्द्रायणमथापि वा जातकर्मादिसंस्कारैः संस्कुर्यात्तं तथा पुनः
cārayettrīṇi kṛcchrāṇi cāndrāyaṇamathāpi vā jātakarmādisaṃskāraiḥ saṃskuryāttaṃ tathā punaḥ
അവൻ മൂന്ന് കൃച്ഛ്ര പ്രായശ്ചിത്തങ്ങൾ അനുഷ്ഠിക്കണം, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ചാന്ദ്രായണ വ്രതം; തുടർന്ന് ജാതകർമ്മാദി സംസ്കാരങ്ങളാൽ അവനെ വീണ്ടും വിധിപൂർവ്വം സംസ്കരിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prescribes major expiations (three Kṛcchras or Cāndrāyaṇa) and then re-performance of saṃskāras beginning with Jātakarman—used to restore social-ritual status after grave lapse/defect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Major prāyaścitta: three Kṛcchras or Cāndrāyaṇa, followed by re-saṃskāra","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","cāndrāyaṇa","saṃskāra","jātakarman","prāyaścitta"],"quick_summary":"For serious impurity, undertake either three Kṛcchra penances or the Cāndrāyaṇa vow, then ritually re-establish the person through prescribed life-cycle sacraments."}
Concept: Penance (tapas) and re-consecration (saṃskāra) function as a structured ‘reset’—ethical repair plus ritual reintegration.
Application: Use graded austerities for rehabilitation; after correction, formally recommit through rites/pledges that mark a renewed identity and discipline.
Khanda Section: Dharma-prāyaścitta (Ritual Expiations and Saṃskāras)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent performs austerities (Kṛcchra/Cāndrāyaṇa), then a priest conducts Jātakarman and other saṃskāras anew to reinstate him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-part scene: ascetic penance with controlled diet under moon phases, then a gṛhya rite with priest, fire altar, and infant-symbolic Jātakarman implements; earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yajña setting with agni, priest and patron, gold-leaf on altar vessels; inset showing moon-cycle Cāndrāyaṇa discipline.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: calendar-like moon phases for Cāndrāyaṇa, alongside a neat depiction of saṃskāra ritual tools (sruva, ājya, kuśa).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed havan scene in a courtyard with attendants, penitent in simple cloth, priest performing rite; moon motif in upper margin indicating Cāndrāyaṇa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चारयेत्त्रीणि = चारयेत् + त्रीणि; चान्द्रायणमथापि = चान्द्रायणम् + अथ + अपि; जाटकर्मादिसंस्कारैः = जातकर्मादि + संस्कारैः; संस्कुर्यात्तम् = संस्कुर्यात् + तम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (prāyaścitta sequences)
FAQs
It prescribes a concrete expiation sequence—either three Kṛcchra penances or a Cāndrāyaṇa lunar fast—followed by re-performing key saṁskāras starting from Jātakarman to ritually re-qualify the person.
It shows the text functioning as a dharma-manual: alongside mythology and worship, it codifies practical ritual law—penances, purification, and the procedural restoration of life-cycle rites.
The verse frames penance as karmic purification that removes ritual impediments, allowing the person to regain eligibility for saṁskāras and thereby restore religious order (dharma) and merit.