Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
स्तम्भशृङ्खलपाशैर् वा मृते पादोनमाचरेत् काष्ठे शान्तपनं कुर्यात् प्राजापत्यन्तु लोष्ठके
stambhaśṛṅkhalapāśair vā mṛte pādonamācaret kāṣṭhe śāntapanaṃ kuryāt prājāpatyantu loṣṭhake
स्तम्भशृङ्खलपाशैर्वा मृते पादोनं प्रायश्चित्तमाचरेत्; काष्ठहेतोः शान्तपनं कुर्यात्, लोष्ठहेतोः प्राजापत्यं तु।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa frame-narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Provides a graded schedule of penances depending on the instrument/cause of death (pillar/chain/noose/wood/clod), useful for expiation decisions by individuals or advisors.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Graded prāyaścitta by cause of death (stambha/śṛṅkhalā/pāśa; kāṣṭha; loṣṭa)","lookup_keywords":["stambha","śṛṅkhalā","pāśa","śāntapana","prājāpatya"],"quick_summary":"If death occurs due to pillar/chain/noose, perform a penance reduced by one quarter; if by wood, do Śāntapana; if by clod/brickbat, do Prājāpatya—showing proportional expiation by causality."}
Concept: Moral-ritual accountability is graded by agency and instrumentality; expiation is calibrated rather than uniform.
Application: When harm results from different implements/causes, choose the corresponding prāyaścitta (including reductions) rather than applying a single blanket penance.
Khanda Section: Prayashchitta (Expiation Rites) / Dharma-shastra
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic depiction of different causes of accidental death—pillar, chain, noose, wood, clod—paired with the prescribed penances (quarter-reduced, Śāntapana, Prājāpatya).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative vignettes around a central dharma-teacher; icons of pillar, chain, noose, wood, clod; the teacher gestures to palm-leaf text naming Śāntapana and Prājāpatya; subdued solemn palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; central seated guru with gold halo; surrounding symbolic objects (stambha, śṛṅkhalā, pāśa, kāṣṭha, loṣṭa) in medallions; gold leaf emphasizing the ‘rule’ nature.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like composition; clear labels for each cause and corresponding penance; fine borders and delicate shading; calm didactic mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; a scholar explaining to a patron; attendants point to illustrated objects (pillar, chain, noose, wood, clod) on a manuscript folio; detailed interior and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पादोनमाचरेत् = पादोनम् + आचरेत्; प्राजापत्यन्तु = प्राजापत्यम् + तु; पाशैर् = पाशैः (visarga/sandhi before vā)
Related Themes: Agni Purana—definitions of Śāntapana and Prājāpatya penances; Agni Purana—general rules on fractional reductions (pāda-ūna) in prāyaścitta
FAQs
It specifies graded prāyaścitta (expiatory penances) depending on the instrument connected with an accidental death—quarter-reduced penance for death by pillar/chain/noose, Śāntapana for wood, and Prājāpatya for a clod/brickbat.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs practical Dharma-shāstra material—fine-grained legal-ritual prescriptions for fault, consequence, and purification—showing its compendium-like coverage of social and religious governance.
The verse frames accidental harm as still requiring purification; by prescribing proportionate penances, it aims to restore ritual and moral balance (śuddhi) and mitigate karmic residue through regulated austerity.