Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 1
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
ति ख शवन्तत्स्पृष्टिनं श्वानमिति घ , ज च मूत्रोच्चारं द्विजः कृत्वेत्यादिः, पूयन्ते पापिनो ऽखिला इत्य् अन्तः पाठः ज , झ पुस्तके नास्ति अथ एकसप्तत्यधिकशततमो ऽध्यायः प्रायश्चित्तानि पुष्कर उवाच प्रायश्चित्तं रहस्यादि वक्ष्ये शुद्धिकरं पर पौरुषेण तु सूक्तेन मासं जप्यादिनाघहा
ti kha śavantatspṛṣṭinaṃ śvānamiti gha , ja ca mūtroccāraṃ dvijaḥ kṛtvetyādiḥ, pūyante pāpino 'khilā ity antaḥ pāṭhaḥ ja , jha pustake nāsti atha ekasaptatyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ prāyaścittāni puṣkara uvāca prāyaścittaṃ rahasyādi vakṣye śuddhikaraṃ para pauruṣeṇa tu sūktena māsaṃ japyādināghahā
கையெழுத்துப் பிரதிகளில் பாடவேறுபாடுகள் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளன—எங்கோ ‘சவத்தால் தொடப்பட்ட நாய்’ என்றும், வேறெங்கோ ‘இருமுறை பிறந்தவன் சிறுநீர் கழித்து…’ என்றும்; இன்னொரு பாடத்தில் முடிவில் ‘எல்லாப் பாவிகளும் தூய்மையடைகின்றனர்’ என்று உள்ளது, ஒரு பிரதியில் இப்பகுதி இல்லை. இப்போது 171ஆம் அதிகாரம் ‘பிராயச்சித்தங்கள்’ தொடங்குகிறது. புஷ்கரர் கூறினார்—ரகசிய முதலிய, உத்தமமும் தூய்மையளிப்பதும் ஆன பிராயச்சித்தங்களை நான் உரைப்பேன்; பௌருஷ ஸூக்தத்தை ஒரு மாதம் ஜபித்தால் மனிதன் பாவமின்றி விடுபடுவான்।
Puṣkara (as the chapter’s internal narrator for prāyaścitta instructions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Apply Vedic japa (notably Pauruṣa Sūkta) as a timed expiation regimen; also recognize textual variants when transmitting/reciting prāyaścitta passages.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta Chapter Proem: Pauruṣa Sūkta Japa (1 month) and Manuscript Variants","lookup_keywords":["Pauruṣa Sūkta","prāyaścitta","japa","pāṭhabheda","Puṣkara"],"quick_summary":"The chapter begins with Puṣkara’s promise to teach secret and other purifying expiations, highlighting month-long recitation of the Pauruṣa Sūkta as sin-destroying. The verse also preserves manuscript variant readings, signaling a living transmission."}
Concept: Mantra-japa over a fixed kāla (one month) functions as a structured expiatory sādhanā.
Application: Undertake disciplined daily recitation with purity rules and consistency; treat expiation as sustained practice rather than a single act.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sage Puṣkara instructs disciples, holding a manuscript/palm-leaf; beside him a devotee performs month-long japa of the Pauruṣa Sūkta with rosary, indicating disciplined recitation; marginal notes symbolize variant readings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Puṣkara as rishi with matted hair and ochre robes, disciples seated, palm-leaf manuscript with stylized script, japa-mālā in devotee’s hand, calm temple-ashram backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Puṣkara enthroned as teacher with gold halo, palm-leaf text emphasized with gold detailing, devotee doing japa, ornate frame and rich textile patterns","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic classroom-ashram scene, clear depiction of palm-leaf manuscript and marginal variant marks, devotee counting beads, soft pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly assembly with manuscripts, scribe noting variants, devotee reciting, fine facial expressions and detailed textiles, garden pavilion setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: This item contains extensive manuscript/edition notes; analyzable running verse portion taken as: ‘atha ekasaptatyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ … māsaṃ japyāt …’. Sandhi: शततमोऽध्यायः = शततमः + अध्यायः; जप्यादि… treated as जप्यात् + आदि + अघहा (editorial uncertainty).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171.2 (Aghamarṣaṇa and Gāyatrī-vrata); Agni Purana prāyaścitta sequences on kṛcchra/cāndrāyaṇa
FAQs
It introduces the prāyaścitta-vidhi (expiatory discipline) and prescribes a practical remedy: month-long japa of the Pauruṣa (Puruṣa) Sūkta as a sin-destroying purification.
Alongside myth and theology, it preserves Dharmaśāstra-style operational guidance—manuscript-aware ritual rules, purity concerns, and standardized expiation practices—showing the text’s coverage of lived religious law and ritual technique.
The verse frames Vedic hymn-recitation (japa) as a direct purifier that burns karmic demerit, presenting the Puruṣa Sūkta as a high-efficacy means for cleansing sin and restoring ritual-spiritual fitness.