Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 35
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
चान्द्रायण नवश्राद्धे पराको मासिके मतः पक्षत्रये ऽतिकृच्छ्रं स्यात् षण्मासे कृच्छ्रमेव च
cāndrāyaṇa navaśrāddhe parāko māsike mataḥ pakṣatraye 'tikṛcchraṃ syāt ṣaṇmāse kṛcchrameva ca
Para a falta ligada ao śrāddha em nove modalidades (nava-śrāddha), considera-se expiação o voto de Cāndrāyaṇa; para a falta ligada a um rito mensal, prescreve-se o Parāka. Se a falha perdurar por três quinzenas, deve ser expiada pelo Atikṛcchra; se por seis meses, basta o (comum) Kṛcchra.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Choosing the correct expiatory vow based on the type of śrāddha/rite and the duration of lapse, useful for priests and householders maintaining ancestral rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Expiations for śrāddha/rite lapses: Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, Atikṛcchra, Kṛcchra","lookup_keywords":["nava-śrāddha","cāndrāyaṇa","parāka","atikṛcchra","kṛcchra"],"quick_summary":"Faults connected with the ninefold śrāddha are atoned by Cāndrāyaṇa; monthly-rite faults by Parāka. If the lapse persists three fortnights, Atikṛcchra is prescribed; if six months, Kṛcchra."}
Concept: Ritual duty (especially pitṛ-kārya) is maintained through time-sensitive corrective vows; continuity and accountability are central to dharma.
Application: If śrāddha/monthly rites are missed or performed with fault, select the matching vrata and intensity based on how long the lapse continued.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prāyaścitta and Śrāddha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder performs śrāddha with piṇḍa offerings; a lunar motif indicates Cāndrāyaṇa. Separate small vignettes show Parāka, Atikṛcchra, and Kṛcchra as graded austerities with time markers (fortnights, months).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central śrāddha scene with piṇḍa and darbha, pitṛ symbols, above a large moon cycle band for Cāndrāyaṇa; side panels show increasing austerity (Parāka, Atikṛcchra, Kṛcchra) with stylized calendar glyphs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf moon disc and ornate śrāddha altar, householder offering piṇḍa, inset panels with four vows named visually by lunar and austerity symbols, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like painting: śrāddha setup, then four vow panels labeled by iconography—moon phases for Cāndrāyaṇa, strict fasting posture for Parāka, intensified austerity for Atikṛcchra, standard austerity for Kṛcchra","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual room with śrāddha offerings, Brahmin officiant, lunar calendar scroll indicating Cāndrāyaṇa; small marginal scenes show the other penances with attendants marking fortnights and months"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pakṣatraye 'tikṛcchram → pakṣatraye + atikṛcchram (avagraha shows a-); kṛcchram + eva → kṛcchrameva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (prāyaścitta gradations); Agni Purana sections on śrāddha-vidhi and vrata definitions
FAQs
It prescribes graded prāyaścitta (expiations)—Cāndrāyaṇa, Parāka, Atikṛcchra, and Kṛcchra—mapped to specific śrāddha/monthly-rite contexts and to the duration of a lapse (three fortnights vs. six months).
Beyond mythic narration, it catalogs Dharmaśāstra-style operational rules for ritual compliance—defining which penance applies under which circumstance—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a practical manual of rites, norms, and corrective procedures.
The verse frames ritual lapses as karmically remediable through proportionate austerities; performing the specified penance is presented as a means to restore purity, rectify omission-related demerit, and re-establish ritual eligibility.