Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Chapter 171 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Prāyaścittāni / Expiations
पत्रकृच्छ्रन्तथा पत्रैस्तोयकृच्छ्रं जलेन तु मूलकृच्छ्रन्तथा मूलैर् दृध्न क्षीरेण तक्रतः
patrakṛcchrantathā patraistoyakṛcchraṃ jalena tu mūlakṛcchrantathā mūlair dṛdhna kṣīreṇa takrataḥ
同样，“Patra-kṛcchra（叶苦行）”唯以叶为食；“Toya-kṛcchra（水苦行）”唯以水为食；“Mūla-kṛcchra（根苦行）”以根为食；其余诸式则依次以凝乳（curd）、以牛乳（milk）、以及以酪乳（buttermilk）而行。
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narration framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Applying specific single-substance diets (leaves, water, roots, curd, milk, buttermilk) as named kṛcchra penances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Patra-, Toya-, Mūla-kṛcchra and dairy-based kṛcchra variants","lookup_keywords":["patra-kṛcchra","toya-kṛcchra","mūla-kṛcchra","dadhi","takra"],"quick_summary":"Lists kṛcchra types defined by exclusive intake: leaves, water, roots, and dairy items such as curd, milk, and buttermilk."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Purificatory discipline is operationalized through controlled intake; naming conventions encode the method (substance-based taxonomy).
Application: Choosing an observance that matches capacity and context (e.g., dairy-based vs. water-only), while keeping the vow’s exclusivity rule.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta / Vrata-vidhi (Expiatory rites and austerities)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic arrangement: separate vessels containing leaves, a water pot, roots, curd, milk, and buttermilk, with a penitent indicating exclusive consumption for each named kṛcchra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual vessels and natural items arranged symmetrically, penitent seated with kamandalu, stylized leaves and roots, creamy white dairy pots, palm-leaf text naming each kṛcchra.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate pots for milk/curd/buttermilk with gold accents, central ascetic figure, decorative border, symbolic purity motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like scene with labeled containers (patra, toya, mūla, dadhi, kṣīra, takra), fine detailing and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic still-life of vessels and food items on a mat, penitent and helper, careful rendering of textures (water sheen, dairy), marginal floral designs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पत्रकृच्छ्रन्तथा = पत्र-कृच्छ्रम् तथा; पत्रैस्तोयकृच्छ्रं = पत्रैः तोय-कृच्छ्रम्; मूलकृच्छ्रन्तथा = मूल-कृच्छ्रम् तथा; मूलैर् = मूलैः. ‘दृध्न’ तथा ‘तक्रतः’ पाठे सन्देहः—सम्पादितपाठे भेदः सम्भवः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 171 (kṛcchra taxonomy by intake)
FAQs
It defines specific variants of the Kṛcchra expiatory penance by prescribing the permitted single-substance diet: leaves, water, roots, curd, milk, and buttermilk (each constituting a named kṛcchra-type).
By cataloging precise prāyaścitta sub-types and their dietary protocols, it preserves Dharmaśāstra-style procedural detail within a Purāṇic text—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical religious law alongside theology.
These regulated austerities function as disciplined self-restraint meant to atone for faults and restore ritual purity, thereby reducing negative karmic residue through prescribed, measurable penance.