Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
चाण्डालस्य तु पानीयं पीत्वा स्यात् षड्दिनं व्रती चण्डालकूपभाण्डेषु पीत्वा शान्तपनं चरेत्
cāṇḍālasya tu pānīyaṃ pītvā syāt ṣaḍdinaṃ vratī caṇḍālakūpabhāṇḍeṣu pītvā śāntapanaṃ caret
Kung uminom ang isang tao ng inuming-tubig na pag-aari ng isang Caṇḍāla, dapat siyang magsagawa ng panata sa loob ng anim na araw. Kung uminom siya ng tubig mula sa balon ng Caṇḍāla o mula sa mga sisidlang ginamit ng Caṇḍāla, dapat niyang isagawa ang pag-aayuno at paglinis na Śāntapana.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidelines for expiation (prāyaścitta) after ritual impurity from consuming water associated with a caṇḍāla; specifies duration and the appropriate observance (Śāntapana).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta for drinking Caṇḍāla water (ṣaḍdinavrata; Śāntapana)","lookup_keywords":["caṇḍāla-pānīya","śauca","prāyaścitta","ṣaḍdina-vrata","śāntapana"],"quick_summary":"If one drinks a caṇḍāla’s drinking water, a six-day vow is prescribed; if the water is from a caṇḍāla’s well or vessels, the Śāntapana expiation is to be performed."}
Concept: Ritual purity is maintained through graded expiations proportionate to the source and degree of contact/consumption.
Application: When accidental impurity occurs, follow a time-bound vow or a named expiation rather than denial; restore eligibility for rites through prescribed discipline.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Śauca (Purification rites and expiations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent person at a riverside or clean courtyard undertaking a six-day vow; nearby a well and water-vessels marked as impure, with a teacher indicating the Śāntapana observance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, austere purification scene: a dvija in simple white cloth seated near a well and water pot, guru pointing to ritual rules, muted earth pigments, sacred calm atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central penitent with halo-like aureole of sanctity, gold-leaf accents on water pot and ritual vessels, minimal background, emphasis on vow and purity symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional composition showing well, vessels, and the practitioner counting six days on a palm-leaf tally, delicate lines, soft colors, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard scene with a well, attendants, and a scholar-priest reading from a manuscript prescribing Śāntapana; fine architectural detail and naturalistic water vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षड्दिनम् = षट् + दिनम् (dvigu); चण्डालकूपभाण्डेषु treated as tatpuruṣa compound; no further external sandhi requiring split.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (Śauca–Prāyaścitta section); Agni Purana prāyaścitta listings for food/water contact impurities
FAQs
It prescribes specific prāyaścitta (expiation) for drinking water associated with a Caṇḍāla: a six-day vow in one case, and the Śāntapana penance when the water is from the Caṇḍāla’s well or vessels.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana codifies practical dharma topics—ritual purity, social/ritual contamination categories, and standardized expiations—showing its wide scope as a compendium of religious law and practice.
The verse frames such consumption as a form of ritual impurity requiring atonement; undertaking the vow/Śāntapana is meant to restore śauca (purity) and mitigate karmic and ritual consequences.