Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

महापातकिसंसर्गे प्रायश्चित्तं निगद्यते । प्रायश्चित्तविशुद्धात्मा सर्वकर्मफलं लभेत् ॥ ७० ॥

Transliteration

mahāpātakisaṃsarge prāyaścittaṃ nigadyate | prāyaścittaviśuddhātmā sarvakarmaphalaṃ labhet || 70 ||

Translation

لمخالطةِ صاحبِ الكبيرة (mahāpātakin) شُرِعَت كفّارةٌ (prāyaścitta). ومن تطهّر باطنُه بتلك الكفّارة نال الثمرةَ التامّةَ لجميع الأعمال الصالحة.

Word by Word

• महापातकिसंसर्गे: in association with a great sinner
• महापातकिसंसर्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापातकि + संसर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (महापातकिनः संसर्गे)

• प्रायश्चित्तम्: expiation/penance
• प्रायश्चित्तम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रायश्चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• निगद्यते: is stated/declared
• निगद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + गद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• प्रायश्चित्तविशुद्धात्मा: one whose self is purified by expiation
• प्रायश्चित्तविशुद्धात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रायश्चित्त + विशुद्ध + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य आत्मा प्रायश्चित्तेन विशुद्धः)

• सर्वकर्मफलम्: the fruit of all actions
• सर्वकर्मफलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + कर्म + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वकर्मणां फलम्)

• लभेत्: may obtain
• लभेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada in the prāyaścitta section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It teaches that moral and ritual impurity arising from harmful association can be rectified through prāyaścitta, restoring inner purity and thereby enabling one to receive the full results of dharmic actions.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By emphasizing purification (śuddhi) as foundational, it supports bhakti indirectly: a cleansed mind and conduct make devotion steady and effective, preventing the loss or dilution of spiritual merit through impure association.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline and expiation (prayoga of prāyaścitta) are implied—procedural dharma guidance aligned with Kalpa/Vedāṅga-style application of rites to correct transgressions and restore eligibility for religious acts.