Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
त्र्यहाभ्यस्तमथैकैकमतिशान्तपनं स्मृतं कृच्छ्रं पराकसञ्ज्ञं स्याद्द्वादशाहमभोजनं
tryahābhyastamathaikaikamatiśāntapanaṃ smṛtaṃ kṛcchraṃ parākasañjñaṃ syāddvādaśāhamabhojanaṃ
Когда трёхдневная дисциплина повторяется, а затем порядок продолжается с одиночными приёмами пищи, это в учении называется крайне суровым кṛcchra типа «Шāнтапана»; а обет, именуемый «Парака», состоит в двенадцати днях полного поста, без всякой пищи.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Designing an expiatory regimen (kṛcchra) with specified meal/fasting phases for atonement and ritual purification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śāntapana-kṛcchra (atiśānta) and Parāka (12-day fast)","lookup_keywords":["śāntapana","kṛcchra","parāka","dvādaśāha","upavāsa"],"quick_summary":"Defines a very severe Śāntapana-type kṛcchra involving repeated three-day discipline followed by single-meal phases, and defines Parāka as twelve days of complete fasting."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta through regulated austerity (tapas) and controlled intake as a means of moral-ritual purification.
Application: Selecting an appropriate penance grade (severe vs. extreme) proportional to fault and capacity, under guidance, to restore dharmic standing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prāyaścitta / Tapas and Expiatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic householder performing a severe penance: repeated three-day discipline, then sparse single meals, culminating in a twelve-day total fast (Parāka), with a ritual calendar and water pot nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a penitent in white cloth seated in tapas posture beside a palm-leaf calendar, minimal food bowl shown empty for Parāka, sacred lamp and water pot, stylized foliage, flat yet ornate detailing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed penitent seated on a low wooden plank, symbolic twelve-day tally marks on a palm-leaf manuscript, ornate borders, rich reds and greens, small empty plate and kamandalu, devotional austerity mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional tableau showing phases: three-day discipline, single-meal portion, then complete fasting; labeled palm-leaf panels, soft pastel palette, delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet austere interior with a penitent and a scribe noting 'Śāntapana' and 'Parāka', precise textiles, subdued palette, small bowls indicating diminishing intake, detailed margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्र्यहाभ्यस्तम् = त्र्यह-अभ्यस्तम्; अथैकैकम् = अथ एक-एकम्; अतिशान्तपनं = अति-शान्तपनम्; पराकसञ्ज्ञं = पराक-सञ्ज्ञम्; स्याद्द्वादशाहमभोजनं = स्यात् द्वादश-अहम् अ-भोजनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (Prāyaścitta-kṛcchra classifications)
FAQs
It defines two expiatory observances: a very severe Śāntapana-type kṛcchra involving a regulated pattern culminating in single meals, and the Parāka vow defined as twelve days of total abstention from food.
It exemplifies the text’s dharma-practical dimension by cataloging precise prāyaścitta protocols (named penances, durations, and dietary rules), alongside its many other domains such as ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
These regulated fasts function as prāyaścitta—disciplines meant to purify wrongdoing’s karmic residue through austerity, restraint, and ritual order, thereby restoring religious eligibility and inner purity.