Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
एतदेव व्रतं कुर्युरुपपातकिनस् तथा अवकीर्णवर्जं शुद्ध्यर्थञ्चान्द्रायणमथापि वा
etadeva vrataṃ kuryurupapātakinas tathā avakīrṇavarjaṃ śuddhyarthañcāndrāyaṇamathāpi vā
چھوٹے گناہوں (اُپپاتک) کے مرتکب بھی یہی نذر/ورت کریں؛ اور پاکیزگی کے لیے چاندْرایَن ورت بھی کر سکتے ہیں—مگر ‘اَوَکیرْن’ مجرم کے سوا۔
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s dharma and prāyaścitta material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selecting appropriate purificatory observances for minor offenders; prescribing Cāndrāyaṇa as an optional purification with an explicit exception.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vrata for upapātaka and optional Cāndrāyaṇa (with avakīrṇa exception)","lookup_keywords":["upapataka","vrata","chandrayanam","shuddhi","avakirna"],"quick_summary":"Minor-sin offenders should perform the stated vow; for purification they may also undertake the Cāndrāyaṇa observance, except in the avakīrṇa case where this option is barred."}
Concept: Śuddhi through regulated vow-observance; graded dharma where eligibility/exceptions matter.
Application: Practitioners choose a vow proportionate to fault; community leaders ensure correct eligibility (excluding avakīrṇa) for Cāndrāyaṇa.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta-dharma (Expiations and Purificatory Vows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic/householder observing a vow with measured food intake aligned to lunar phases; a note of exclusion for a specific offender category.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, calm ascetic seated with moon-phase motif above, simple food portions depicted in sequence, ritual purity atmosphere, minimal background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotee before a lunar disc with gold work, small bowls representing measured intake, sacred thread and ritual vessels, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like scene: waxing/waning moon with corresponding food measures, practitioner performing vrata, clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with a practitioner counting measured morsels, moon calendar on a folio, delicate detailing and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतदेव = एतत् एव (त् + ए → दे); कुर्युरुपपातकिनः = कुर्युः उपपातकिनः (ः + उ → रु); शुद्ध्यर्थञ्च = शुद्धि-अर्थम् च (ि + अ → य; म् + च → ञ्च); चान्द्रायणम् = च + आन्द्रायणम् (च + आ → चा)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (upapātaka and avakīrṇa-related expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical expiation: minor-sin offenders should perform a specified vrata, and may adopt the Cāndrāyaṇa vow (a lunar-regulated penance) as a means of ritual purification, with an explicit exclusion for the avakīrṇa category.
By codifying prāyaścitta options (vrata and Cāndrāyaṇa) and distinguishing eligibility (excluding avakīrṇa), it demonstrates the text’s compendium-style coverage of dharma—ritual law, sin-taxonomy, and corrective disciplines.
It frames purification as a structured remedial path: performing prescribed vows is presented as a means to cleanse karmic fault from minor transgressions, restoring ritual and ethical fitness.