Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 11
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
तप्तकृच्छ्रव्रतं सर्वपापघ्नं ब्रह्मलोकदं शीतैस्तु शीतकृच्छ्रं स्याद्ब्रह्मोक्तं ब्रह्मलोकदं
taptakṛcchravrataṃ sarvapāpaghnaṃ brahmalokadaṃ śītaistu śītakṛcchraṃ syādbrahmoktaṃ brahmalokadaṃ
तप्तकृच्छ्रव्रतं सर्वपापघ्नं ब्रह्मलोकदम्। शीतैस्तु शीतकृच्छ्रं स्याद्ब्रह्मोक्तं ब्रह्मलोकदम्॥
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Choosing between Taptakṛcchra (hot austerity) and Śītakṛcchra (cold austerity) as expiatory vows aimed at sin-destruction and Brahmaloka attainment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Taptakṛcchra and Śītakṛcchra (Hot/Cold Kṛcchra vows)","lookup_keywords":["taptakṛcchra","śītakṛcchra","sarva-pāpa-ghna","brahmaloka","vrata"],"quick_summary":"Two variants of the Kṛcchra vow are defined by hot vs. cold austerities; both are praised as sin-destroying and as granting Brahmaloka according to Brahmā’s declaration."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Tapas, when scripturally framed, is a karmic counter-force (pratikarma) capable of pāpa-kṣaya and higher-loka attainment.
Application: Select austerity type (heat/cold) suited to capacity and context, maintaining ethical restraints; the ‘fruit’ language motivates sustained discipline.
Khanda Section: Dharma-vidhi (Vrata, Prāyaścitta, Tapas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasted scenes: a penitent performing heat austerity near a controlled fire/sun, and another performing cold austerity with cool water/winter setting; above, a symbolic Brahmaloka with Brahmā’s lotus-seat as the promised fruit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural diptych: left warm reds with sacred fire and ascetic, right cool blues with water and ascetic, upper register shows Brahmā on lotus in Brahmaloka, traditional mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold-leaf Brahmā in upper center, two side panels for taptakṛcchra and śītakṛcchra, rich gold detailing on halos and borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional comparison chart: ‘tāpta’ vs ‘śīta’, visual icons (fire/flame vs water/snow), calm figures, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, split composition with warm and cool palettes, ascetics in different environments, celestial Brahmaloka vignette above with fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: taptakṛcchravrataṃ = tapta-kṛcchra-vratam; sarvapāpaghnaṃ = sarva-pāpa-ghnam; brahmalokadaṃ = brahma-loka-dam; śītaistu = śītaiḥ tu; syādbrahmoktaṃ = syāt brahma-uktam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Kṛcchra taxonomy; loka-phala statements in prāyaścitta chapters
FAQs
It specifies two prāyaścitta-vratas—Taptakṛcchra (heat-based austerity) and Śītakṛcchra (cold-based austerity)—and states their phala: destruction of sins and attainment of Brahmaloka.
By cataloging named expiatory disciplines (prāyaścitta) with clearly stated results, it functions like a dharma manual embedded within the Purāṇa, alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, arts).
It frames disciplined austerity as a direct karmic remedy: these Kṛcchra-vratas purify accumulated demerit (pāpa) and are said to yield an exalted post-mortem destination (Brahmaloka).