Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 40
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
साचेत्पुनः प्रदुष्येत सदृशेनोपमन्त्रिता कृच्छ्रञ्चाद्रायणञ्चैव तदस्याः पावनं स्मृतं
sācetpunaḥ praduṣyeta sadṛśenopamantritā kṛcchrañcādrāyaṇañcaiva tadasyāḥ pāvanaṃ smṛtaṃ
اگر وہ پھر آلودہ ہو جائے—اپنے ہم مرتبہ مرد کے بہکانے/ترغیب سے—تو اس کی پاکیزگی کے لیے کِرِچّھر پرायश्चت اور چاند्रायण ورت ہی مقرر سمجھے گئے ہیں۔
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s common dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Specifies prāyaścitta escalation for repeated sexual fault: mandates Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa as purificatory observances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa as purification for repeated defilement","lookup_keywords":["kṛcchra","cāndrāyaṇa","pāvana","punar-praduṣyeta","prāyaścitta"],"quick_summary":"If the woman again becomes defiled through solicitation by an equal-status man, her purification is by Kṛcchra penance and the Cāndrāyaṇa lunar observance."}
Concept: Purification is achieved through structured austerity (tapas) and time-bound observance (vrata) rather than mere regret.
Application: Undertake codified penances (dietary restriction, regulated intake, japa) with calendrical discipline (moon-cycle) to restore dharmic standing.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Expiations and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penance scene: the woman performs austerities—sitting on kusa grass, counting japa, with a measured food portion; above, a moon-phase arc indicates Cāndrāyaṇa regulation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic domestic shrine corner; woman seated in penance with mālā and small measured bowl, moon phases painted as a band overhead, earthy tones, solemn stillness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, penitent figure with ritual implements, gold-highlighted crescent moon motifs around the border to signify Cāndrāyaṇa, rich ornamentation contrasting austerity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of measured diet and lunar calendar marks, fine detailing of bowls and tally marks, calm palette, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet interior courtyard at night-to-day transition, moon phases in sky margin, penitent seated with rosary and measured food, naturalistic lighting and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sā+cet→sācet; sadṛśena+upamantritā→sadṛśenopamantritā; kṛcchram+ca+ādrāyaṇam+ca+eva→kṛcchrañcādrāyaṇañcaiva; tat+asyāḥ→tadasyāḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 169 (definitions of Kṛcchra/Cāndrāyaṇa and related prāyaścitta)
FAQs
It prescribes two formal expiations—Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa—as the ritual means of purification when the same transgression recurs.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s dharma-law coverage by cataloging specific, named penances (standardized prāyaścittas) alongside other subjects, functioning like a compendium of applied religious jurisprudence.
The verse frames repeated wrongdoing as requiring intensified austerity; performing these penances is presented as a purificatory remedy that mitigates sin (pāpa) and restores ritual and moral fitness.