History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.510

v5.c71.s1.510

*TAPTAKṚCCHRA*—There is great divergence of views about this penance. Manu XI 214, Vas 21 21, Viṣṇu Dh. S 46 11, Baud Dh. S. IV 5.10, Śaṅkha-smṛti 18.4, Agnipuraṇa 171 6-7, Atri verses 122-123, Parāśara IV. 7 speak of it as of 12 days’ duration comprising four periods of three days each. In this one drinks hot water, hot milk, hot ghee for three days each and then for three days there is a complete fast when he inhales hot vapour or atmosphere (acc to Manu XI. 214) Manu adds that the performer has to bathe only once (and not thrice as in some other penances) and that he should practise self-control. Yāj III 317 (=Devala 84) speaks of this as of four days' duration, viz he takes hot milk, hot ghee and hot water for one day each and observes a total fast on the 4th day. The Mit on Yāj. III. 317 calls this *mahātapta-kṛcchra* and also mentions a *taptakṛcchra* of two days, viz on the first day the sinner takes all the three, viz hot water, hot milk and hot ghee and observes a total fast on the 2nd day. The Pr. Prakāśa (folio 50a) remarks that the authority for the two days' taptakṛcchra spoken of by the Mit has to be found out The Pr. Prakāśa refers to a *tapta-kṛcchra* for 21 days. It may be said, as done by the Pr. Prakāśa, that the penance of *tapta-kṛcchra* for twelve days is meant for great sins and that the one for four days is meant for lesser sins The quantity of water, milk and ghee, that was to be taken is laid down by Parāśara ³¹⁶ IV. 8, Atri 123-124 and Brahmapurāṇa (q. by Pr V. p. 511) viz. that hot water, hot milk and hot ghee should be six *palas*, three *palas* and one *pala* respectively The Brahmapurāṇa adds that water, milk and ghee are to be taken respectively in the evening, morning and noon