Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
त्रिरात्रन्तेन कर्तव्यं शूद्रश्चोपवसेद्दिनं उच्छिष्टेन यदि स्पृष्टः शुना शूद्रेण वा द्विजः
trirātrantena kartavyaṃ śūdraścopavaseddinaṃ ucchiṣṭena yadi spṛṣṭaḥ śunā śūdreṇa vā dvijaḥ
Se um dvija (duas-vezes-nascido) for tocado por restos (ucchiṣṭa), ou por um cão, ou por um Śūdra, deve observar uma expiação de três noites; e o Śūdra deve jejuar por um dia.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidelines for impurity-by-contact (ucchiṣṭa, dog, certain persons) and the corresponding expiations/fasts to restore ritual eligibility for daily rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sparśa-doṣa prāyaścitta for dvija and Śūdra","lookup_keywords":["ucchiṣṭa-sparśa","śva-sparśa","śūdra-sparśa","trirātra-prāyaścitta","upavāsa"],"quick_summary":"A dvija touched by leftovers, a dog, or a Śūdra performs a three-night expiation; the Śūdra fasts one day. The rule restores śauca for continuing rites like sandhyā and homa."}
Concept: Ritual purity is maintained through proportionate expiation after contaminating contact (sparśa-doṣa).
Application: After accidental contact, adopt the specified vrata (three nights/one-day fast) before resuming pūjā, śrāddha, or Vedic recitation.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Shauca–Prayashchitta: rules of purity and expiation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija recoils after accidental contact with ucchiṣṭa/dog/Śūdra and undertakes a three-night observance; a Śūdra performs a one-day fast.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, austere domestic courtyard, dvija in white cloth performing vrata with water pot and kusa grass, symbolic dog and leftover vessel shown at edge, muted earth pigments, calm didactic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on ritual vessels, dvija seated in vrata posture with palm-leaf text, small vignettes of dog and ucchiṣṭa bowl, emphasis on dharma iconography.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework, instructional panel layout: cause (contact) → expiation (three nights) → restored purity, labels in Devanagari, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed household scene with figures in profile, dvija observing restraint, attendants preparing simple fasting meal, marginal notes indicating trirātra and upavāsa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिरात्रन्तेन = त्रिरात्र-अन्तेन; शूद्रश्चोपवसेद्दिनं = शूद्रः च उपवसेत् दिनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (Śauca–Prāyaścitta section)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific prayāścitta (expiatory observance): a dvija performs a three-night penance after impurity-contact (ucchiṣṭa/dog/Śūdra-contact), while the Śūdra undertakes a one-day fast.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also compiles practical dharma-shāstra material—detailed rules of purity (śauca), social-ritual boundaries, and expiations—showing its wide-ranging, handbook-like character.
The prescribed fasting and time-bound penance function as a karmic and ritual reset, restoring eligibility for rites (adhikāra) and re-establishing personal purity after contaminating contact.