Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 2
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
पञ्चोपनिषदैर् मन्त्रैर् हुत्वा ब्राह्मणभोजनं सूतिकान्त्यजकोदक्यास्पृष्टे देवे शतं जपेत्
pañcopaniṣadair mantrair hutvā brāhmaṇabhojanaṃ sūtikāntyajakodakyāspṛṣṭe deve śataṃ japet
پانچ اُپنشدوں کے منتروں سے ہون کر کے اور برہمنوں کو بھوجن کرا کے، اگر دیوتا کو زچہ، حیض والی عورت، بکری یا ناپاک پانی کے سبب چھو لیا گیا ہو تو منتر کا سو بار جپ کرے۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Temple/home-puja purity management: expiation when the installed deity/altar is accidentally contacted by childbirth/menses-related water, animal contact, or impure water; restores ritual eligibility to continue worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta for Deity Touched by Sūtikā/Rajasvalā/Goat/Impure Water","lookup_keywords":["pañcopaniṣad-mantra","prāyaścitta","aśauca","prokṣaṇa","japa-śata"],"quick_summary":"After pañcopaniṣad-homa and feeding brāhmaṇas, if the deity is contaminated by specific impure contacts, perform a 100-count japa as expiation to re-establish ritual purity and continuity of worship."}
Concept: Ritual purity (śauca) and expiation (prāyaścitta) preserve the continuity and efficacy of worship despite accidental impurity.
Application: Maintain a clear corrective sequence—homa/feeding/japa—so worship is not abandoned due to mistakes or unavoidable contacts.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Prayashchitta & Shuddhi-kalpa: purification rites connected with offerings and japa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest before a shrine performs pañcopaniṣad-homa, then counts a 100-japa with a mālā after the deity’s pedestal has been accidentally splashed by impure water; brāhmaṇas are seated for feeding nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, priest in white mundu performing homa before a small sanctum, deity pedestal shown, water splash motif, mālā-japa counting, brāhmaṇa-feeding scene in background, traditional lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central deity in ornate arch with gold foil, priest offering into homa-kunda, mālā in hand, ritual vessels (kalaśa, prokṣaṇī), brāhmaṇas seated with banana-leaf meal, rich reds and gold highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines, instructional composition: left panel homa with pañcopaniṣad mantras, right panel 100-japa with mālā, small caption-like visual cues for purity restoration, soft pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior turned temple setting, detailed textiles, priest performing homa and then japa, attendants arranging brāhmaṇa-bhojana, careful depiction of water vessel and sanctum threshold, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पञ्चोपनिषदैः = पञ्च-उपनिषदैः (द्विगु); मन्त्रैर् = मन्त्रैः; सूतिकान्त्यजकोदक्यास्पृष्टे = सूतिका-अन्त्यज-उदक्या-आस्पृष्टे (समाहार/समासपूर्वपदानि + क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘आस्पृष्ट’); जपेत् = जपेत् (विधिलिङ्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on prokṣaṇa, ācamana, and prāyaścitta for arcā-doṣa; Agni Purana chapters detailing pañcopaniṣad/pañcagavya-type śuddhi measures (contextual parallels)
FAQs
It prescribes a prāyaścitta procedure: perform homa using “five Upaniṣad” mantras, feed Brāhmaṇas, and complete a quantified japa (100 recitations) when a deity/image is ritually defiled by polluting contact.
Beyond mythic narration, it functions like a ritual manual: it codifies purity rules, remediation steps (homa, brāhmaṇa-bhojana, japa), and practical temple-handling protocols—one of the Agni Purāṇa’s hallmark “how-to” domains.
The rite restores ritual purity (śuddhi) of the deity’s presence and the worshipper’s eligibility to continue worship, converting an impurity-causing lapse into an act of expiation through fire-offering, charity/feeding, and mantra-recitation.