Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
एतद्वीरासनं प्रोक्तं कृच्छ्रकृत्तेन पापहा अष्टभिः प्रत्यहं ग्रासैर् यतिचान्द्रायणं स्मृतं
etadvīrāsanaṃ proktaṃ kṛcchrakṛttena pāpahā aṣṭabhiḥ pratyahaṃ grāsair yaticāndrāyaṇaṃ smṛtaṃ
اسے ‘ویرآسن’ کہا گیا ہے؛ کِرِچّھر کے طور پر ادا کیا جائے تو یہ پاپ ہَر پرایشچت ہے۔ اور ‘یتی-چاندْرایَن’ وہ ضابطہ ہے جس میں روزانہ آٹھ لقمے غذا لی جاتی ہے۔
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Practice the specified austerity modes: vīrāsana as a kṛcchra-associated observance, and yati-cāndrāyaṇa by limiting intake to eight mouthfuls daily.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vīrāsana Observance and Yati-Cāndrāyaṇa (Eight Mouthfuls Daily)","lookup_keywords":["vīrāsana","kṛcchra","yati-cāndrāyaṇa","aṣṭa-grāsa","prāyaścitta"],"quick_summary":"Vīrāsana is identified as an expiatory observance within kṛcchra practice, aimed at destroying sin through disciplined posture and tapas. Yati-cāndrāyaṇa is defined by a strict daily ration of eight mouthfuls."}
Concept: Quantified restraint (āhāra-niyama) and disciplined observance function as tools for moral-ritual purification.
Application: Use measurable rules (like fixed mouthfuls) to make vows enforceable; pair with mindfulness and ethical repair.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Vrata-vidhi (Expiatory rites, austerities, and purificatory observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yati performs vīrāsana-like disciplined sitting/steadfast posture as part of kṛcchra; beside him a small plate shows a measured portion symbolizing eight mouthfuls per day (yati-cāndrāyaṇa).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic seated in firm posture, minimal food portion depicted symbolically, calm austerity mood, muted earth tones, simple hermitage background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ascetic with gold halo, small measured food offering on leaf plate with gold accents, ornate border, emphasis on vow and restraint","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of counting eight mouthfuls (aṣṭa-grāsa) with small marks, ascetic posture labeled vīrāsana, soft palette and fine lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in sparse room, attendant presenting tiny measured meal, detailed utensils, restrained color scheme, emphasis on discipline and composure"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतद्वीरासनं = एतत् + वीरासनम्; कृच्छ्रकृत्तेन = कृच्छ्र + कृत्तेन (कृत्-रूप); ग्रासैर् = ग्रासैः (विसर्गलोप); यतिचान्द्रायणं = यति + चान्द्रायणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171.3 (kṛcchra components); Agni Purana prāyaścitta listings on cāndrāyaṇa variants
FAQs
It defines two expiatory disciplines: (1) a ‘vīrāsana’ observance classified under kṛcchra-type penance, and (2) the ‘yati-cāndrāyaṇa’ rule of eating exactly eight mouthfuls (grāsa) per day.
By cataloging precise, rule-based prāyaścitta procedures—named vows, their classifications, and measurable dietary limits—the Agni Purāṇa functions as a practical dharma handbook alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics, etc.).
The verse presents controlled intake and austere observance as a means of pāpa-kṣaya (reduction/destruction of demerit), framing disciplined restraint as a concrete method for purification and restoration of dharmic balance.