Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 27
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
श्वगोधोलूककाकांश् च शूद्रहत्याव्रतं चरेत् चतुर्णामपि वर्णानां नारीं हत्वानवस्थितां
śvagodholūkakākāṃś ca śūdrahatyāvrataṃ caret caturṇāmapi varṇānāṃ nārīṃ hatvānavasthitāṃ
Por matar um cão, uma iguana (godhā), uma coruja (ulūka) ou um corvo (kāka), deve-se cumprir o voto expiatório prescrito para o homicídio de um Śūdra. Do mesmo modo, tendo matado uma mulher de qualquer uma das quatro varṇas, desprotegida (sem guardião), deve-se realizar a expiação apropriada.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determining the appropriate prāyaścitta (atonement) when harm is done to certain animals or to an unprotected woman, by mapping the act to an established expiation-grade (śūdra-hatyā-vrata).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta equivalences for killing certain animals and anāvasthitā-strī","lookup_keywords":["śūdra-hatyā-vrata","śva-godhā-ulūka-kāka","anāvasthitā strī","prāyaścitta mapping","hiṃsā expiation"],"quick_summary":"The verse classifies the killing of dog/iguana/owl/crow under the expiation used for śūdra-killing, and indicates that killing an unprotected woman of any varṇa requires a corresponding expiation."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as proportional moral-ritual remediation; graded equivalence of harms (hiṃsā) to standard expiations.
Application: Use established expiation categories to respond consistently to transgressions, emphasizing restitution, restraint, and social-ritual repair.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta-Dharma (Expiations and Atonements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-assembly setting where a penitent seeks guidance; symbolic depiction of the listed creatures (dog, iguana, owl, crow) and a veiled figure representing an unprotected woman, with a sage indicating the śūdra-hatyā-vrata as expiation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a rishi in saffron instructing a remorseful householder; stylized dog, iguana, owl, crow in a row; dharma-scroll motif; calm solemn expressions, flat decorative background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated rishi with ornate aureole and gold leaf detailing; penitent with folded hands; small icon-like panels showing dog/iguana/owl/crow; rich reds and greens, temple-pillared backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading; instructional tableau of prāyaścitta consultation; labeled objects (scroll, water-pot); subdued palette emphasizing ethical seriousness.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly veranda with a learned pandit advising a petitioner; naturalistic animals (dog, lizard/iguana, owl, crow) arranged near the margin; delicate floral border, detailed textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्वगोधोलूककाकांश् → श्व + गोधा + उलूक + काकान्; चतुर्णामपि → चतुर्णाम् + अपि; हत्वानवस्थितां → हत्वा + अनवस्थिताम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (prāyaścitta section: hiṃsā classifications and vows)
FAQs
It assigns specific prāyaścitta (expiatory discipline) by equivalence: killing certain animals (dog, iguana, owl, crow) requires the same vrata as Śūdra-hatya, and it also states that killing an unprotected woman of any varṇa demands expiation.
It preserves dharma-śāstra style legal-ritual norms within a Purāṇa, cataloging graded sins and corresponding remedies—one of the Agni Purāṇa’s hallmark encyclopedic compilations across ritual, ethics, and social law.
The verse frames these acts as heavy karmic faults requiring formal purification; the prescribed vrata functions as a remedial discipline meant to reduce sin’s consequences and restore ritual-moral order.