Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 34
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
गुरुतल्पव्रतं कुर्याद्रेतः सिक्त्वा स्वयोनिषु सख्युः पुत्रस्य च स्त्रीषु कुमारोष्वन्त्यजासु च
gurutalpavrataṃ kuryādretaḥ siktvā svayoniṣu sakhyuḥ putrasya ca strīṣu kumāroṣvantyajāsu ca
தனக்குத் தடைசெய்யப்பட்ட சொந்தக் குலப் பெண்களில், நண்பனின் மனைவியில், மகனின் மனைவியில், திருமணமாகாத கன்னியரில், மேலும் அந்த்யஜ (தாழ்ந்த/புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்ட) பெண்களில் விந்தைச் சிந்தினால் ‘குருதல்ப-விரதம்’ எனும் பிராயச்சித்தத்தை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common framing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Determines expiation (gurutalpa-vrata) for specified sexual transgressions involving prohibited relations and protected social bonds.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gurutalpa-vrata for illicit intercourse in prohibited kinship and protected relations","lookup_keywords":["gurutalpa-vrata","retaḥ-seka","svayoni","sakhyustrī","antyajā"],"quick_summary":"For semen discharge into women of prohibited kin-group and other gravely forbidden relations, the text prescribes the gurutalpa-vrata. The entry classifies the offense as severe and assigns a named penance."}
Concept: Protection of social/kinship order and restraint of kāma through graded penances for grave transgressions.
Application: Recognize severity gradations in dharma-violations and undertake prescribed vows/discipline to restore ethical and ritual standing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Vows)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn dharma-assembly: a penitent sits with lowered head before a learned brāhmaṇa/judge who indicates the gurutalpa-vrata; background shows symbolic boundary lines of kinship and social bonds, emphasizing prohibition and expiation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple-court setting with a dharma-teacher seated on a low seat, penitent kneeling; stylized palm-leaf manuscript labeled ‘gurutalpa’; subdued palette, strong outlines, moral gravity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, formal vow-taking scene: penitent before guru/priest, gold-leaf arch, ritual vessels and a vow-scroll; emphasis on repentance and discipline, rich reds with solemn mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: teacher pointing to a written ‘gurutalpa-vrata’ rule; penitent seated with simple cloth; minimal background, fine detailing of manuscript and ritual items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, legal-ethical consultation in a courtyard: qadi-like pandit with attendants, penitent in plain dress; manuscript open; careful facial expressions conveying shame and instruction; muted tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्याद्रेतः = कुर्यात् + रेतः; कुमारोष्वन्त्यजासु = कुमारेषु + अन्त्यजासु (eṣu+a→oṣva sandhi in text).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Prāyaścitta-khaṇḍa: definitions of mahāpātaka and named vratas (gurutalpa, kṛcchra, cāndrāyaṇa)
FAQs
It specifies a dharmaśāstric expiation: the gurutalpa-vrata is prescribed as a formal penance for particular categories of illicit sexual discharge, functioning as a ritual-legal remedy (prāyaścitta).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical normative material—here, jurisprudential/ethical guidance on offenses and expiations—showing its coverage of dharma, social regulation, and ritual law.
The verse treats these acts as grave adharma producing heavy demerit; undertaking the prescribed vrata is presented as a means to purify the transgression and mitigate karmic consequences through regulated austerity and expiation.