Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 14
Chapter 168 — महापातकादिकथनम्
Exposition of Great Sins and Related Topics
प्राश्य मूत्रपुरीषाणि द्विजश्चान्द्रायणं चरेत् शुष्काणि जग्ध्वा मांसानि प्रेतान्नं करकाणि च
prāśya mūtrapurīṣāṇi dvijaścāndrāyaṇaṃ caret śuṣkāṇi jagdhvā māṃsāni pretānnaṃ karakāṇi ca
இருமுறை பிறந்தவன் (த்விஜன்) மூத்திரம் அல்லது மலம் குடித்தாலோ, அல்லது உலர்ந்த மாமிசம், பிரேதர்க்கு அர்ப்பணிக்கும் அன்னம் (பிரேதான்னம்), அல்லது கரக வகை கழிவுகள்/உள்ளுறுப்பு துண்டுகள் உண்டாலோ, அவன் சாந்திராயணப் பிராயச்சித்த விரதம் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for expiation when a dvija violates purity by ingesting highly impure substances or prohibited foods; prescribes Cāndrāyaṇa as corrective vow.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Cāndrāyaṇa expiation for ingestion of urine/feces and other impure foods","lookup_keywords":["cāndrāyaṇa","prāyaścitta","mūtra-purīṣa","preta-anna","aśuci-bhojana"],"quick_summary":"If a twice-born consumes urine/feces or certain impure/prohibited foods (dried meat, preta-offerings, scraps), the remedy is the Cāndrāyaṇa vow with regulated lunar-cycle diet."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta restores inner/outer purity through disciplined vow (niyama) rather than mere regret.
Application: Adopt structured austerity (regulated intake, self-control, confession/ritual steps as per tradition) after grave impurity to re-enter rites and social life.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Purificatory Vows)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dvija performing Cāndrāyaṇa: lunar calendar motif, measured portions of food, water-pot, and a secluded purification setting; the impure foods are shown only symbolically as rejected items.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic dvija seated on a mat with a crescent-moon cycle painted behind, small bowls indicating increasing/decreasing portions, ritual water vessel, muted solemn palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold haloed moon-disc behind the practitioner, ornate border, the vow chart rendered as decorative panel, emphasis on sanctity and purification.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: a clear lunar-phase diagram with portion counts, practitioner measuring grains, clean lines and labels, calm instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a scholar-ascetic in a quiet courtyard, attendants recording the vow, moon phases in the sky band, fine detail of utensils and measured servings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विजश्च = द्विजः + च; प्रेतान्नम् = प्रेत + अन्नम् (tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 168 (Prāyaścitta rules; Cāndrāyaṇa occurrences)
FAQs
It prescribes the Cāndrāyaṇa vow as the formal expiation when a dvija consumes highly impure substances (excreta, funerary food, or contaminated meat/remnants).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical Dharmaśāstra-style regulations—here, a specific mapping of taboo consumption to a standardized penance (Cāndrāyaṇa).
Such intake is treated as severe ritual pollution; undertaking Cāndrāyaṇa is meant to remove the resulting impurity and karmic fault through regulated austerity and purification.