Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
पाक्षं प्रसृत्या लाजानां ब्रह्मकूर्चं तथा भवेत् उपोषितश् चतुर्दृश्यां पञ्चदश्यामनन्तरं
pākṣaṃ prasṛtyā lājānāṃ brahmakūrcaṃ tathā bhavet upoṣitaś caturdṛśyāṃ pañcadaśyāmanantaraṃ
पंधरवडाभर प्रसृती-मापाने लाजे मोजल्यास ब्रह्मकूर्च व्रत सिद्ध होते. चतुर्दशीला उपवास करून त्यानंतर त्वरित पंचदशीला (पौर्णिमेला)ही अनुष्ठान/उपवास करावा.
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual instructions, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Performance of the Brahma-kūrca expiatory observance using measured lājā intake over a fortnight with specific fasting on caturdaśī and pañcadaśī.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Brahma-kūrca Vrata (lājā-prasṛti for a fortnight; caturdaśī–pañcadaśī upavāsa)","lookup_keywords":["Brahma-kurca","laja","prasrti","caturdashi","pancadashi"],"quick_summary":"Measure out parched grains by the prasṛti measure for a fortnight as the Brahma-kūrca observance, with fasting prescribed on the 14th lunar day and immediately on the 15th."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta through regulated diet, measure (māna), and timed fasting aligned to tithi.
Application: Adopt disciplined, time-bound restraint as a corrective practice after lapses, observing lunar-day rules.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vrata-vidhi (Ritual observances, fasting, and expiatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vrata-observer measuring parched grains (lājā) with a prasṛti measure, keeping a fortnightly regimen, and observing caturdaśī and pañcadaśī fasting under a lunar calendar setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, muted earth pigments, a calm ascetic seated on a mat, holding a small prasṛti measure over a bowl of lājā, lunar fortnight symbols in the background, ritual purity ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on ritual vessels, devotee with prasṛti measure and bowl of lājā, stylized moon phases (caturdaśī and pañcadaśī) in a decorative arch, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing the exact hand-measure (prasṛti) and measured grains, annotated lunar-day icons for 14th and 15th, instructional composition with gentle pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic-ritual interior, devotee measuring lājā with hand-cup measure, calendar folio showing fortnight and full-moon day, delicate textiles and precise objects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caturdṛśyāṃ = caturdaśyāṃ (orthographic variant); pañcadaśyām anantaram → pañcadaśyāmanantaram; upoṣitaḥ (before ca) → upoṣitaś ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (kṛcchra/vrata and prāyaścitta rules); Agni Purana 173 (sarvapāpa-prāyaścitta continuation)
FAQs
It specifies the Brahma-kūrca observance: measuring and using parched grains (lājā) by the prasṛti measure over a fortnight, with fasting specifically on the 14th and then the 15th lunar day consecutively.
It preserves precise operational details—units of measure (prasṛti), calendrical timing (caturdaśī/pañcadaśī), and named expiation (Brahma-kūrca)—showing the text’s coverage of practical ritual law alongside its broader mythic and doctrinal material.
Brahma-kūrca functions as a purificatory discipline: regulated diet/offerings and timed fasting are framed as means to reduce ritual impurity and negative karma through controlled austerity (tapas) and observance aligned with lunar tithis.