Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 53
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
तद्भैक्ष्यभुग् जपन्नित्यं त्रिभिर्वर्षैर् व्यपोहति पितृव्यदारगमने भ्रातृभार्यागमे तथा
tadbhaikṣyabhug japannityaṃ tribhirvarṣair vyapohati pitṛvyadāragamane bhrātṛbhāryāgame tathā
అతడు భిక్షపై జీవిస్తూ నిత్యం జపం చేస్తూ మూడు సంవత్సరాలలో ఆ పాపాన్ని తొలగించుకుంటాడు—పితృవ్యుని భార్యను సమీపించినద్వారా, అలాగే సోదరుని భార్యను సమీపించినద్వారా కలిగిన పాపాన్ని।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prescribes a time-bound penance (three years) combining bhikṣā-vṛtti and daily japa for specific prohibited relations, usable for prāyaścitta determination and personal discipline.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Three-year bhikṣā-vṛtti with daily japa for pitr̥vya-dāra and bhrātṛ-bhāryā transgression","lookup_keywords":["bhaiṣyabhuk","nitya-japa","trivārṣika","pitr̥vya-dāra","bhrātṛ-bhāryā"],"quick_summary":"For approaching the paternal uncle’s wife or the brother’s wife, the text prescribes living on alms and performing daily japa; the sin is said to be removed within three years."}
Concept: Atonement is operationalized as sustained self-restraint (bhikṣā-vṛtti) plus mantra-japa over a defined duration, emphasizing transformation through regulated living.
Application: Adopt structured daily practice (japa + austerity) as a corrective regimen under guidance of an ācārya, with clear duration and lifestyle constraints.
Khanda Section: Prayashchitta (Expiations) / Dharma-shastra (Codes of conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent living as a mendicant for a fixed term: receiving alms, seated in a quiet place performing japa with a mālā, conveying long-term discipline and purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, a simple hut or temple corridor, penitent in plain cloth holding japa-mālā, villagers offering bhikṣā, calm sacred ambience, stylized foliage, emphasis on austerity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central penitent with subtle halo (not divine), gold accents on a small shrine in the background, alms bowl, mālā, devotional-didactic mood, rich but restrained composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: penitent seated in padmāsana, mālā and kamaṇḍalu, a small caption-like space indicating ‘trivārṣika japa-bhikṣā’, soft colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed street/temple steps scene: alms being given, penitent reciting softly, delicate architecture, emphasis on everyday discipline and time-bound practice."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्भैक्ष्यभुग् = तत् + भैक्ष्यभुक्; जपन्नित्यं = जपन् + नित्यम्; त्रिभिर्वर्षैर् = त्रिभिः + वर्षैः; भ्रातृभार्यागमे = भ्रातृ-भार्या-गमे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (graded prāyaścitta for sexual transgressions)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific expiation: sustained mantra-japa while subsisting on alms-food for three years to atone for sexual approach to prohibited relatives (uncle’s wife or brother’s wife).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana catalogs Dharma-style jurisprudence and penances—practical social-ethical regulations and remedial rites—showing its coverage of law, conduct, and ritual discipline.
The act is treated as a grave transgression; the long-term discipline of alms-living and daily japa is presented as a means to purify the karmic fault and restore moral-religious order.