Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 37
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
निषिद्धभक्षणे भुक्ते प्रायश्चित्तमुपोषणं भूस्तृणं लशुनं भुक्त्वा शिशुकं कृच्छ्रमाचरेत्
niṣiddhabhakṣaṇe bhukte prāyaścittamupoṣaṇaṃ bhūstṛṇaṃ laśunaṃ bhuktvā śiśukaṃ kṛcchramācaret
Kung nakakain ng ipinagbabawal, ang pag-alis-sala ay pag-aayuno. Kapag nakakain ng lupa, damo, o bawang, dapat isagawa ang anyong ‘Śiśuka’ ng penitensiyang kṛcchra.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard narrative frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Selecting the correct expiation after consuming prohibited items: general fasting for niṣiddha-bhakṣaṇa; specific Śiśuka-kṛcchra for eating earth/grass/garlic.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Niṣiddha-bhakṣaṇa Prāyaścitta: Upoṣaṇa and Śiśuka-kṛcchra","lookup_keywords":["niṣiddha bhakṣaṇa","prāyaścitta","upoṣaṇa","bhūstṛṇa","śiśuka kṛcchra"],"quick_summary":"Prohibited eating is expiated by fasting; eating earth, grass, or garlic specifically calls for the Śiśuka form of kṛcchra."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as ethical-ritual repair: restraint (tapas) restores purity after transgression.
Application: When a dietary lapse occurs, apply the graded remedy: upoṣaṇa generally; Śiśuka-kṛcchra for specified minor infractions.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent who has eaten prohibited food undertakes fasting; a second vignette shows the Śiśuka-kṛcchra observance after eating earth/grass/garlic.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic figure seated on a mat with water pot, minimal food, symbolic depiction of 'earth/grass/garlic' as small offerings set aside, calm austerity mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, penitent with folded hands before a small sacred fire/altar, gold detailing on vessels, emphasis on vow-taking and restraint","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: icons for 'niṣiddha-bhakṣaṇa → upoṣaṇa' and 'bhū/stṛṇa/laśuna → śiśuka-kṛcchra', clean lines and labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior scene with scholar-priest advising a householder, detailed food items on a tray, then the householder fasting in a quiet chamber"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prāyaścittam + upoṣaṇam → prāyaścittamupoṣaṇam; kṛcchram + ācaret → kṛcchramācaret.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 173 (prāyaścitta gradations)
FAQs
It prescribes prāyaścitta for dietary transgressions: fasting in general for prohibited eating, and the specific ‘Śiśuka Kṛcchra’ penance for eating earth, grass, or garlic.
It records a Dharma-shastra style catalog of offenses and graded expiations, showing the text’s coverage of practical religious law alongside ritual, theology, and other sciences.
The verse frames improper consumption as a karmically tainting act and teaches that disciplined austerity (fasting/penance) restores ritual purity and ethical order.