Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Chapter 168 — महापातकादिकथनम्
Exposition of Great Sins and Related Topics
तप्तकृच्छ्रं प्रकुर्वीत अशौचे कृच्छ्रमाचरेत् अशौचे यस्य यो भुङ्क्ते सोप्यशुद्धस् तथा भवेत्
taptakṛcchraṃ prakurvīta aśauce kṛcchramācaret aśauce yasya yo bhuṅkte sopyaśuddhas tathā bhavet
அசௌச நிலையில் தப்தக்ருச்சிரப் பிராயச்சித்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும்; (சாதாரண) அசௌசத்தில் க்ருச்சிர ஒழுக்கத்தைப் பின்பற்ற வேண்டும். அசௌசமுள்ளவரின் அன்னத்தை உண்ணுபவனும் அசுத்தனாகிறான்.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides what penance to undertake during impurity (aśauca) and warns against sharing food with those in aśauca due to transmissible ritual impurity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśauca penance: Tapta-kṛcchra and Kṛcchra; impurity by eating aśauca-food","lookup_keywords":["aśauca","tapta-kṛcchra","kṛcchra","bhojana-doṣa","śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"In aśauca one should perform the heated kṛcchra; in ordinary aśauca, kṛcchra. Eating the food of someone in aśauca makes the eater impure too."}
Concept: Aśauca is a limiting condition; corrective austerity and avoidance of shared food prevent spread of ritual ineligibility.
Application: During bereavement/impurity periods, avoid giving/receiving food; follow prescribed austerity to re-enter normal rites.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Shaucha-ashaucha (Purity, impurity, and expiations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household in mourning observes aśauca; a practitioner undertakes tapta-kṛcchra (symbolic heat/discipline) and refuses shared meals; a cautionary inset shows impurity transferring through eating.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; subdued palette; mourning household with simple white garments; ascetic seated near a small fire symbolizing ‘tapta’; another figure declines offered food; decorative but restrained borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore with gold accents; central austerity figure with small sacred fire motif; side vignette of refusing food exchange during aśauca; gold used sparingly to keep somber tone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional; two panels: ‘tapta-kṛcchra’ regimen near a controlled flame, and ‘kṛcchra’ regimen; arrows indicating impurity transmission via food from aśauca person.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; interior mourning scene with minimalism; a scholar-practitioner near a brazier; attendants offering food which is declined; marginal note about impurity transfer."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तप्तकृच्छ्रं = तप्त-कृच्छ्रम्; कृच्छ्रमाचरेत् = कृच्छ्रम् + आचरेत्; सोप्यशुद्धस् = सः + अपि + अशुद्धः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 168 (aśauca and prāyaścitta rules)
FAQs
It prescribes specific expiatory disciplines—kṛcchra and the more severe taptakṛcchra—to address ritual impurity (aśauca), and it states a contagion rule: eating the food of someone in aśauca transmits impurity.
Beyond mythic narration, it codifies practical Dharma-shastra guidance—purity regulations, penances, and food-sharing restrictions—showing the text’s coverage of legal-ritual norms alongside other sciences.
Observing prescribed penances restores ritual and moral purity, while avoiding aśauca-associated food prevents participation in impurity that can obstruct religious merit and the efficacy of rites.