Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 8
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रं पयसा दिवसानेकविंशतिं गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधि सर्पिः कुशोदकं
kṛcchrātikṛcchraṃ payasā divasānekaviṃśatiṃ gomūtraṃ gomayaṃ kṣīraṃ dadhi sarpiḥ kuśodakaṃ
‘ਅਤਿਕ੍ਰਿਚਛ੍ਰ’ ਇਕੀ ਦਿਨ ਦੁੱਧ ਨਾਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ; ਇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੋਮੂਤਰ, ਗੋਮਯ, ਦੁੱਧ, ਦਹੀਂ, ਘਿਉ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਸ਼ੋਦਕ (ਕੁਸ਼ਾ-ਜਲ) ਦਾ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Performing the Atikṛcchra expiation with a specified 21-day milk-based regimen and pañcagavya-related purificants including kuśodaka.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Atikṛcchra regimen — 21 days and pañcagavya/kuśodaka items","lookup_keywords":["atikṛcchra","21 days milk","pañcagavya","kuśodaka","śuddhi regimen"],"quick_summary":"Atikṛcchra is defined as a 21-day observance centered on milk, employing cow-urine, cow-dung, milk, curd, ghee, and kuśa-infused water as purificatory substances."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Śuddhi in prāyaścitta is operationalized through time (21 days) and sanctioned substances (pañcagavya + kuśa), linking bodily regimen with moral-ritual restoration.
Application: Follow tradition-specific purity protocols precisely when undertaking expiation; distinguish ritual purity aims from medical therapy aims.
Khanda Section: Prayashchitta (Expiatory Rites) / Shuddhi-vidhi (Purificatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A 21-day vow scene: an ascetic with vessels labeled milk, curd, ghee, cow-urine, cow-dung, and a kuśa-grass bundle steeped in water, arranged as a ritual regimen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual layout with six vessels and kuśa grass, ascetic seated beside them, temple courtyard feel, muted sacred palette, emphasis on śuddhi items","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, neatly arranged pañcagavya vessels with ornate gold detailing, kuśa bundle prominent, devotee in prayerful posture, rich borders and lamp glow","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic presentation of the regimen items with clear separation and labels, ascetic demonstrating preparation of kuśodaka, soft colors and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed still-life of small bowls and jars for milk/curd/ghee etc., kuśa grass tied with thread, ascetic recording days on a folio, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दिवसानेकविंशतिं→दिवसान्+एकविंशतिम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (kṛcchra/atikṛcchra/śāntapana descriptions)
FAQs
It prescribes the Atikṛcchra expiation: a 21-day purificatory regimen centered on milk and the canonical purifiers—cow’s urine, cow-dung, milk, curd, ghee, and kuśa-water.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs applied dharma: concrete, time-bound expiations (prāyaścitta) with specified substances and duration, functioning like a procedural manual for ritual and ethical repair.
Atikṛcchra is intended to cleanse ritual impurity and mitigate the karmic residue of transgressions through disciplined austerity and sanctifying substances, restoring eligibility for religious duties.