Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
कुम्भेनाष्टशतजपो देवे तु पतिते करात् भिन्ने नष्टे चोपवासः शतहोमाच्छुभं भवेत्
kumbhenāṣṭaśatajapo deve tu patite karāt bhinne naṣṭe copavāsaḥ śatahomācchubhaṃ bhavet
اگر (مقدّس) آب کے کُمبھ سے متعلق خلل ہو تو آٹھ سو بار جپ مقرر ہے۔ لیکن اگر دیوتا کی مورتی ہاتھ سے گر جائے، ٹوٹ جائے یا گم ہو جائے تو روزہ/فاست لازم ہے؛ اور سو آہوتیوں کے ہوم سے شُبھتا حاصل ہوتی ہے۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Temple/home-ritual remediation when consecrated vessels are mishandled or when an installed image is dropped, broken, or lost; prescribes proportional expiation to restore ritual auspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta for damaged kumbha and fallen/broken/lost deity-image","lookup_keywords":["kumbha-prāyaścitta","mūrti-patana","bhinna-nāśa","upavāsa","śata-homa"],"quick_summary":"For a consecrated water-pot, perform 800 mantra-repetitions; if an image falls, breaks, or is lost, undertake fasting and complete 100 homa oblations to re-establish śubhatā."}
Concept: Ritual fault (doṣa) is countered by proportionate expiation (japa, upavāsa, homa) to restore auspicious order.
Application: Use graded remedies: minor vessel-issue → japa; major icon mishap → fasting plus homa, then resume worship with restored purity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Prāyaścitta & Deva-pratiṣṭhā—atonements for damaged or lost ritual vessels/icons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest in a shrine setting holds a consecrated kumbha; nearby an image has slipped from the hands and lies damaged; the priest undertakes fasting and performs a homa with 100 offerings to restore auspiciousness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, inner sanctum ambiance, priest with sacred thread beside a kalasha, a fallen deity-image shown respectfully, homa-kunda with bright flames, minimal perspective, earthy reds and greens, devotional solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on kalasha and altar, priest performing homa before a small shrine, fallen/broken icon depicted with reverence, ornate arch and lamps, rich maroons and greens, embossed jewelry-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework, instructional clarity: kalasha, fallen image, fasting priest, homa-kunda with counted offerings (ladle, ghee), labeled ritual implements, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier precision: a small temple pavilion, priest and assistants, detailed vessels and fire-altar, narrative moment of the image slipping, then homa scene, fine textiles and architectural borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुम्भेन + अष्टशतजपः → कुम्भेनाष्टशतजपः; च + उपवासः → चोपवासः; शतहोमात् + शुभम् → शतहोमाच्छुभम् (त् + श् → च्छ्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Deva-pratiṣṭhā and prāyaścitta sections (kumbha, homa, upavāsa); Agni Purana: Pūjā-vidhi chapters on kalasha/kumbha usage
FAQs
It prescribes specific prāyaścitta measures: 800 mantra-japa connected with the ritual kumbha, and in cases where a consecrated deity-image falls, breaks, or is lost, fasting plus a 100-oblation homa to restore auspiciousness.
It documents operational temple/household worship protocols—what to do when ritual objects or icons are mishandled—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical liturgy, expiation, and ritual repair alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse frames accidental damage or loss in worship as a ritual fault that can be purified through self-restraint (upavāsa) and ritual restitution (japa and homa), culminating in “śubha”—restored auspiciousness and reduced demerit.