Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 31
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
पुनः प्राप्य स्वदेशञ्च वर्णानामनुपूर्वशः कृच्छ्रस्यान्ते ब्राह्मणस्तु पुनः संस्कारमर्हति
punaḥ prāpya svadeśañca varṇānāmanupūrvaśaḥ kṛcchrasyānte brāhmaṇastu punaḥ saṃskāramarhati
ପୁନଃ ସ୍ୱଦେଶକୁ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହୋଇ ଓ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣମାନଙ୍କ ଅନୁକ୍ରମରେ ଯଥାବିଧି ପୁନଃସ୍ଥାପିତ ହେଲେ, କୃଚ୍ଛ୍ର ପ୍ରାୟଶ୍ଚିତ୍ତ ଶେଷରେ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ ପୁନର୍ବାର ସଂସ୍କାର ପାଇବାର ଅଧିକାରୀ ହୁଏ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides reintegration and re-eligibility for saṃskāras after completing kṛcchra-prāyaścitta and returning to one’s community.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṛcchra-prāyaścitta completion and re-eligibility for saṃskāra (Brāhmaṇa)","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","prāyaścitta","saṃskāra","svadeśa","varṇānupūrvya"],"quick_summary":"After completing the kṛcchra expiation and returning to one’s own country/community, a Brāhmaṇa regains eligibility to undergo purificatory saṃskāras again, in proper social order."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta restores adhikāra (ritual eligibility) when completed with proper sequence and social reintegration.
Application: Use as a rule for when a person may resume rites, study, and formal sacraments after penance.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Restorative Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmavira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent Brāhmaṇa returning to his homeland after completing kṛcchra, being formally readmitted and prepared for a purificatory saṃskāra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: village pathway and riverbank bath, a Brāhmaṇa with kamaṇḍalu and white cloth, elders performing readmission rite, warm earthy palette, temple courtyard backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central seated Brāhmaṇa before a small yajña-kuṇḍa, priests conferring saṃskāra eligibility, ornate arch, gold leaf highlights on vessels and halo-like aureole.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: instructional tableau showing stages—return to svadeśa, completion of kṛcchra, then saṃskāra—fine linework, muted colors, labeled ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly townscape with a scholar returning, community elders receiving him, delicate textiles, detailed architecture, subtle gestures indicating reinstatement."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वदेशञ्च → स्वदेशम् + च; वर्णानामनुपूर्वशः → वर्णानाम् + अनुपूर्वशः; कृच्छ्रस्यान्ते → कृच्छ्रस्य + अन्ते; ब्राह्मणस्तु → ब्राह्मणः + तु; संस्कारमर्हति → संस्कारम् + अर्हति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (Prāyaścitta and Śuddhi rules)
FAQs
It states a procedural rule: after completing the Kṛcchra expiation and returning to one’s homeland with proper reintegration into varṇa order, a Brāhmaṇa regains eligibility to undergo saṃskāra (a restorative purificatory rite).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s Dharma-shastra coverage by codifying expiation (prāyaścitta), social reinstatement, and ritual eligibility—practical legal-ritual guidance alongside its many other domains.
The verse frames expiation as karmic purification that restores ritual competence: completion of penance is not merely personal austerity but a formal return to sacred eligibility through renewed saṃskāra.