Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 37
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
निषिद्धभक्षणे भुक्ते प्रायश्चित्तमुपोषणं भूस्तृणं लशुनं भुक्त्वा शिशुकं कृच्छ्रमाचरेत्
niṣiddhabhakṣaṇe bhukte prāyaścittamupoṣaṇaṃ bhūstṛṇaṃ laśunaṃ bhuktvā śiśukaṃ kṛcchramācaret
നിഷിദ്ധഭക്ഷണം കഴിച്ചാൽ പ്രായശ്ചിത്തം ഉപവാസമാണ്. മണ്ണ്, പുല്ല്, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ വെളുത്തുള്ളി കഴിച്ചാൽ ‘ശിശുക’ കൃച്ഛ്രം അനുഷ്ഠിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard narrative frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Selecting the correct expiation after consuming prohibited items: general fasting for niṣiddha-bhakṣaṇa; specific Śiśuka-kṛcchra for eating earth/grass/garlic.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Niṣiddha-bhakṣaṇa Prāyaścitta: Upoṣaṇa and Śiśuka-kṛcchra","lookup_keywords":["niṣiddha bhakṣaṇa","prāyaścitta","upoṣaṇa","bhūstṛṇa","śiśuka kṛcchra"],"quick_summary":"Prohibited eating is expiated by fasting; eating earth, grass, or garlic specifically calls for the Śiśuka form of kṛcchra."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as ethical-ritual repair: restraint (tapas) restores purity after transgression.
Application: When a dietary lapse occurs, apply the graded remedy: upoṣaṇa generally; Śiśuka-kṛcchra for specified minor infractions.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent who has eaten prohibited food undertakes fasting; a second vignette shows the Śiśuka-kṛcchra observance after eating earth/grass/garlic.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic figure seated on a mat with water pot, minimal food, symbolic depiction of 'earth/grass/garlic' as small offerings set aside, calm austerity mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, penitent with folded hands before a small sacred fire/altar, gold detailing on vessels, emphasis on vow-taking and restraint","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: icons for 'niṣiddha-bhakṣaṇa → upoṣaṇa' and 'bhū/stṛṇa/laśuna → śiśuka-kṛcchra', clean lines and labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior scene with scholar-priest advising a householder, detailed food items on a tray, then the householder fasting in a quiet chamber"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prāyaścittam + upoṣaṇam → prāyaścittamupoṣaṇam; kṛcchram + ācaret → kṛcchramācaret.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (prāyaścitta gradations)
FAQs
It prescribes prāyaścitta for dietary transgressions: fasting in general for prohibited eating, and the specific ‘Śiśuka Kṛcchra’ penance for eating earth, grass, or garlic.
It records a Dharma-shastra style catalog of offenses and graded expiations, showing the text’s coverage of practical religious law alongside ritual, theology, and other sciences.
The verse frames improper consumption as a karmically tainting act and teaches that disciplined austerity (fasting/penance) restores ritual purity and ethical order.