Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
एतदेव व्रतं कुर्युरुपपातकिनस् तथा अवकीर्णवर्जं शुद्ध्यर्थञ्चान्द्रायणमथापि वा
etadeva vrataṃ kuryurupapātakinas tathā avakīrṇavarjaṃ śuddhyarthañcāndrāyaṇamathāpi vā
Mereka yang bersalah atas dosa kecil hendaklah melakukan nazar ini juga. Dan demi penyucian, mereka boleh pula menjalankan amalan Cāndrāyaṇa, kecuali bagi pesalah jenis «avakīrṇa».
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s dharma and prāyaścitta material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selecting appropriate purificatory observances for minor offenders; prescribing Cāndrāyaṇa as an optional purification with an explicit exception.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vrata for upapātaka and optional Cāndrāyaṇa (with avakīrṇa exception)","lookup_keywords":["upapataka","vrata","chandrayanam","shuddhi","avakirna"],"quick_summary":"Minor-sin offenders should perform the stated vow; for purification they may also undertake the Cāndrāyaṇa observance, except in the avakīrṇa case where this option is barred."}
Concept: Śuddhi through regulated vow-observance; graded dharma where eligibility/exceptions matter.
Application: Practitioners choose a vow proportionate to fault; community leaders ensure correct eligibility (excluding avakīrṇa) for Cāndrāyaṇa.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta-dharma (Expiations and Purificatory Vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic/householder observing a vow with measured food intake aligned to lunar phases; a note of exclusion for a specific offender category.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, calm ascetic seated with moon-phase motif above, simple food portions depicted in sequence, ritual purity atmosphere, minimal background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotee before a lunar disc with gold work, small bowls representing measured intake, sacred thread and ritual vessels, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like scene: waxing/waning moon with corresponding food measures, practitioner performing vrata, clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with a practitioner counting measured morsels, moon calendar on a folio, delicate detailing and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतदेव = एतत् एव (त् + ए → दे); कुर्युरुपपातकिनः = कुर्युः उपपातकिनः (ः + उ → रु); शुद्ध्यर्थञ्च = शुद्धि-अर्थम् च (ि + अ → य; म् + च → ञ्च); चान्द्रायणम् = च + आन्द्रायणम् (च + आ → चा)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (upapātaka and avakīrṇa-related expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical expiation: minor-sin offenders should perform a specified vrata, and may adopt the Cāndrāyaṇa vow (a lunar-regulated penance) as a means of ritual purification, with an explicit exclusion for the avakīrṇa category.
By codifying prāyaścitta options (vrata and Cāndrāyaṇa) and distinguishing eligibility (excluding avakīrṇa), it demonstrates the text’s compendium-style coverage of dharma—ritual law, sin-taxonomy, and corrective disciplines.
It frames purification as a structured remedial path: performing prescribed vows is presented as a means to cleanse karmic fault from minor transgressions, restoring ritual and ethical fitness.