Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
पुनः संस्कारमर्हन्ति त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः मद्यमाण्डस्थिता आपः पीत्वा सप्तदिनं व्रती
punaḥ saṃskāramarhanti trayo varṇā dvijātayaḥ madyamāṇḍasthitā āpaḥ pītvā saptadinaṃ vratī
Ang tatlong uri ng mga dalawang-ulit-na-isinilang (trai-varṇa) ay karapat-dapat na muling sumailalim sa muling-pagpapabanal (saṃskāra). Kung nakainom ng tubig na may māṇḍa—latak o pampaalsa ng alak—ang tao’y dapat tumupad ng panata (vrata) sa loob ng pitong araw.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Provide a rule for re-consecration (punar-saṃskāra) eligibility of twice-born after liquor-contact, and prescribe a seven-day vow after drinking water contaminated with liquor dregs (māṇḍa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Punar-saṃskāra and Seven-day Vrata for Māṇḍa-contaminated Water","lookup_keywords":["punar-saṃskāra","māṇḍa","surā-saṃsparśa","sapta-dina-vrata","dvija-śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Twice-born persons may undergo re-consecration after impurity; if they drank water containing liquor dregs, a seven-day vow is prescribed to restore ritual fitness."}
Concept: Ritual status can be restored through prescribed time-bound discipline; dharma provides a path back after contamination.
Application: When ritual eligibility is compromised, follow a defined vow period and then re-enter rites via re-consecration rather than remaining in ambiguity.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Śuddhi-vidhi (Ritual Atonement and Purification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A twice-born penitent completes a seven-day vow after accidental intake of water with liquor dregs, then undergoes re-consecration rites with a priest and sacred implements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest and penitent near a small altar, water vessel symbolizing māṇḍa contamination, seven-day vow suggested by seven lamps, calm restorative palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, re-consecration scene with priest, sacred thread, ritual vessels with gold leaf highlights, seven lamps or seven flowers indicating sapta-dina-vrata","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise instructional layout: (1) contaminated water incident, (2) seven-day vow observance, (3) punar-saṃskāra ceremony; clear linework and captions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual scene in a courtyard with priest performing re-initiation, penitent seated respectfully, detailed vessels and textiles, subtle depiction of seven-day passage"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संस्कारमर्हन्ति = संस्कारम् + अर्हन्ति. मद्यमाण्डस्थिता = मद्य-माण्ड-स्थिताः (compound adjective agreeing with आपः). सप्तदिनम् is treated as द्विगु indicating a time-span.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: surāpāna prāyaścitta sequence (173.23–173.24); Agni Purana: saṃskāra-related discussions (elsewhere in dharma sections)
FAQs
It prescribes a prāyaścitta: a dvija who has consumed water contaminated by madya-ferment (māṇḍa) should undertake a seven-day vow and is then eligible for renewed saṃskāra (re-consecratory purification).
Alongside theology and praise, the Agni Purana catalogs practical dharma-legal procedures—here, a specific rule for impurity due to intoxicants—showing its function as a compendium of ritual law and social conduct.
The seven-day vrata functions as expiation to neutralize the demerit and ritual impurity associated with contact/ingestion linked to intoxicants, restoring eligibility for sacred rites through renewed purification.