Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
अप्रदुष्टां स्त्रियं हत्वा शूद्रहत्याव्रतं चरेत् पञ्चगव्यं पिवेद्गोघ्नो मासमासीत संयतः
apraduṣṭāṃ striyaṃ hatvā śūdrahatyāvrataṃ caret pañcagavyaṃ pivedgoghno māsamāsīta saṃyataḥ
ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ (ਅਪ੍ਰਦੂਸ਼ਟਾ) ਇਸਤਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਣ ਤੇ ਸ਼ੂਦਰ-ਹਤਿਆ ਲਈ ਵਿਹਿਤ ਵਰਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਅਤੇ ਗੋ-ਹੰਤਾ ਪੰਚਗਵ੍ਯ ਪੀ ਕੇ, ਸੰਯਮ ਨਾਲ, ਇੱਕ ਮਹੀਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਯਸ਼ਚਿੱਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹੇ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Prescribes specific expiations: equating killing an innocent woman with śūdra-hatyā penance; for cow-killing, pañcagavya intake and month-long restraint.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta for killing an innocent woman; gohatyā remedy with pañcagavya","lookup_keywords":["apradūṣṭā-strī-vadha","śūdra-hatyā-vrata","gohatyā","pañcagavya","māsa-niyama"],"quick_summary":"Killing an innocent woman requires the śūdra-hatyā observance; cow-killing is expiated by drinking pañcagavya and observing self-restraint for one month."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as moral repair through regulated austerity and purification; special protection of the cow as a dharmic pillar.
Application: When grave harm occurs, undertake structured penance (vrata/niyama) rather than denial; combine inner restraint with prescribed purificants.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Atonements)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent sits in restraint for a month, receiving a small vessel of pañcagavya from a priest; in the background a protected cow is shown, emphasizing the gravity of gohatyā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic penitent seated on mat, priest holding ritual vessel, cow depicted calmly behind, stylized foliage, strong outlines and earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central cow with gold halo-like ornamentation, penitent and priest in foreground with gilded vessel, ornate border, rich gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of ritual procedure: vessel, measured intake, calendar-like month motif, soft colors and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtyard scene, priest offering a cup, penitent seated with downcast gaze, detailed cow and attendants, delicate rendering of textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pivedgoghnaḥ = pivet + go-ghnaḥ (t/d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (gohatyā and homicide expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes specific prāyaścitta (atonement) measures: adopting the Śūdra-hatyā expiation for killing an innocent woman, and drinking pañcagavya with a month-long disciplined observance for cow-slaughter.
It shows the text’s dharma-shāstra dimension by cataloging graded sins and corresponding expiations, alongside ritual substances (like pañcagavya) and time-bound observances—one of the many practical knowledge domains covered by the Agni Purana.
The verse frames grave harm (killing and cow-slaughter) as producing heavy demerit and teaches purification through regulated penance and ritual means, aiming to mitigate karmic consequences and restore ritual-ethical order.