Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 40
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
साचेत्पुनः प्रदुष्येत सदृशेनोपमन्त्रिता कृच्छ्रञ्चाद्रायणञ्चैव तदस्याः पावनं स्मृतं
sācetpunaḥ praduṣyeta sadṛśenopamantritā kṛcchrañcādrāyaṇañcaiva tadasyāḥ pāvanaṃ smṛtaṃ
ఆమె మళ్లీ దూషితమైతే—సమాన స్థితిగల పురుషుని ప్రలోభం/ఉపమంత్రణ వల్ల—ఆమె శుద్ధికి కృచ్ఛ్ర ప్రాయశ్చిత్తం మరియు చాంద్రాయణ వ్రతమే పావనమని చెప్పబడింది।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Specifies prāyaścitta escalation for repeated sexual fault: mandates Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa as purificatory observances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa as purification for repeated defilement","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","cāndrāyaṇa","pāvana","punar-praduṣyeta","prāyaścitta"],"quick_summary":"If the woman again becomes defiled through solicitation by an equal-status man, her purification is by Kṛcchra penance and the Cāndrāyaṇa lunar observance."}
Concept: Purification is achieved through structured austerity (tapas) and time-bound observance (vrata) rather than mere regret.
Application: Undertake codified penances (dietary restriction, regulated intake, japa) with calendrical discipline (moon-cycle) to restore dharmic standing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penance scene: the woman performs austerities—sitting on kusa grass, counting japa, with a measured food portion; above, a moon-phase arc indicates Cāndrāyaṇa regulation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic domestic shrine corner; woman seated in penance with mālā and small measured bowl, moon phases painted as a band overhead, earthy tones, solemn stillness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, penitent figure with ritual implements, gold-highlighted crescent moon motifs around the border to signify Cāndrāyaṇa, rich ornamentation contrasting austerity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of measured diet and lunar calendar marks, fine detailing of bowls and tally marks, calm palette, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet interior courtyard at night-to-day transition, moon phases in sky margin, penitent seated with rosary and measured food, naturalistic lighting and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sā+cet→sācet; sadṛśena+upamantritā→sadṛśenopamantritā; kṛcchram+ca+ādrāyaṇam+ca+eva→kṛcchrañcādrāyaṇañcaiva; tat+asyāḥ→tadasyāḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (definitions of Kṛcchra/Cāndrāyaṇa and related prāyaścitta)
FAQs
It prescribes two formal expiations—Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa—as the ritual means of purification when the same transgression recurs.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s dharma-law coverage by cataloging specific, named penances (standardized prāyaścittas) alongside other subjects, functioning like a compendium of applied religious jurisprudence.
The verse frames repeated wrongdoing as requiring intensified austerity; performing these penances is presented as a purificatory remedy that mitigates sin (pāpa) and restores ritual and moral fitness.