1.5. Expiatory Rites In Rauravāgama

Rauravāgama is an important treatise of Śaivasiddhānta school of thought. It is one of the essential Āgamas in twenty-eight Śaivāgamas. The text contains four sections, including Mudrā, Yoga, initiation, daily rituals, consecration ceremonies, funerary rites etc. It too elucidates the concept of expiation and its practices. The fifty-sixth Paṭala of this Āgama illustrates expiatory rituals to be done for the entering of untouchables in temple premises or falling of their blood, flesh and wine in the sanctum sanctorum or any part of temple courtyard. Also the entering of dogs, cocks, monkeys, asses, pigs and other animals cause for impurity.^[1]

According to this, entering of Caṇḍāla is a sinful and impure action. It suggests Snapana, Mūrttihoma, Sthānaśuddhi, Puṇyāha, Gonivāsana (making a cow stand in affected places), offering food to a Brahmin, Saptaśuddhi, Beraśuddhi, sprinkling of Pañcagavyā in affected places and Avagāhakalaśa to be done for the pacification of impurity.^[2] Moreover, it describes other faults leading to impurities like the birth and death taking place in temple courtyard and touching of a menstruated woman. It suggests one hundred and eight Kalaśa, pouring of smeared water, Puṇyāha and contemplation on Annapūrṇeśvari to be performed as the remedies of these impurities.^[3] It has to be mentioned that all purificatory rituals seen in this text can be found in some other Āgamas like Cintyāgama and Svāyambhuvāgama.^[4] Moreover, Raurava mentioned some expiations related to renovation of the temple and some impurities caused by entering and touching of outcastes, falling down of temple, outbreak of fire, falling down and destruction of the idol of minor deities, falling down of idol, omissions of worship, omission of Utsava, decay of Aṣṭabandha, falling down of flagstaff, and omission of Bali, light and Tīrtha. Atbhutaśānti, Sarvaśānti and Diśāhoma are recommended as remedies for the removal of impurities and bad impacts.^[5]