Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 29
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
द्रव्याणामल्पसाराणां स्तेयं कृत्वान्यवेश्मतः चरेच्छान्तपनं कृच्छं व्रतं निर्वाप्य सिद्ध्यति
dravyāṇāmalpasārāṇāṃ steyaṃ kṛtvānyaveśmataḥ carecchāntapanaṃ kṛcchaṃ vrataṃ nirvāpya siddhyati
Tendo furtado objetos de pequeno valor da casa alheia, deve-se cumprir o voto expiatório Śāntapana Kṛcchra; concluída devidamente essa observância, a pessoa fica purificada (a expiação se realiza).
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dharma and expiation section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prescribing a specific kṛcchra-vrata (Śāntapana) as expiation for petty theft, giving a standardized remedy for minor property transgressions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śāntapana Kṛcchra for theft of low-value goods","lookup_keywords":["steya","alpa-sāra dravya","anyaveśma","śāntapana kṛcchra","śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"For stealing items of small value from another’s house, the Śāntapana Kṛcchra vow is prescribed; completion of the observance effects purification."}
Concept: Restorative discipline for social harm: minor theft is met with a defined austerity to realign conduct and conscience.
Application: Adopt a time-bound vow with restraint and restitution-mindedness to prevent recurrence and re-establish trust.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Prāyaścitta (Dharmaśāstra: expiations for theft and moral transgressions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder returning a small stolen item and then undertaking austerity under a teacher’s guidance; a scroll labeled ‘Śāntapana Kṛcchra’ symbolizes the prescribed vow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, penitent offering back a small object to a household; rishi nearby indicating a vow; restrained palette, emphasis on moral correction.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central rishi with gold-leaf arch; penitent with folded hands holding a small item; vow-scroll motif; ornate but solemn composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with clear gestures: restitution, then seated observance; fine linework, calm instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic courtyard of ‘another’s house’; subtle narrative of theft confession and guidance by a scholar; detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्रव्याणामल्पसाराणां → द्रव्याणाम् + अल्पसाराणाम्; कृत्वान्यवेश्मतः → कृत्वा + अन्यवेश्मतः; चरेच्छान्तपनम् → चरेत् + शान्तपनम् (त् + श् → च्छ्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (kṛcchra typology and theft-related expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific prāyaścitta: the Śāntapana Kṛcchra vow as the expiation for stealing low-value items from another person’s house.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical Dharmaśāstra material—here, a graded legal-ritual remedy (penance) for a defined offence (minor theft), showing its coverage of governance, ethics, and ritual law.
The verse frames theft as a karmically binding act and teaches that disciplined expiation (kṛcchra-vrata) can ritually and morally restore purity, enabling the offender to re-enter dharmic life.