Shloka 22
Dharma of the Renunciant: Alms Discipline, Meditation, and Expiations
उपेत्य च स्त्रियं कामात्प्रायश्चित्तं समाहितः । प्राणायामसमायुक्तं कुर्य्यात्सांतपनं शुचिः
upetya ca striyaṃ kāmātprāyaścittaṃ samāhitaḥ | prāṇāyāmasamāyuktaṃ kuryyātsāṃtapanaṃ śuciḥ
ومن اقترب من امرأة بدافع الشهوة، فعلى المنضبط أن يتخذ الكفّارة بقلبٍ جامع: فإذا كان طاهرًا فليؤدِّ توبة السامتابانا (Sāṃtapana) مقرونةً بممارسة البراناياما (prāṇāyāma).
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Svarga-khaṇḍa’s expiation/discipline context; commonly framed as Pulastya instructing Bhīṣma in many Padma Purāṇa sections, but not explicit in the provided verse).
Concept: Lust-driven misconduct is met with structured expiation combining austerity and breath-discipline.
Application: When desire overrides values, respond with concrete corrective practice: reduce stimuli, adopt disciplined routine, and re-center through breath and prayer.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic sits on kusa grass beside a small purification fire, eyes lowered in restraint, counting measured breaths. The atmosphere is austere yet compassionate: the scene emphasizes recovery and re-alignment, with a clean water-pot and simple cloth indicating renewed purity.","primary_figures":["ascetic performing prāṇāyāma","optional: supervising guru/ācārya"],"setting":"Hermitage edge with a small kuṇḍa, kusa mat, water-pot, and a secluded grove suggesting withdrawal from temptation.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pale saffron","ash gray","forest green","clay brown","warm gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: A penitent ascetic seated in prāṇāyāma posture on a kusa mat, small sacred fire before him, water-pot and rosary at side; gold leaf used for the fire’s glow and subtle halo of renewed purity, rich earthy reds/greens, ornate border framing a disciplined, moral tableau.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Dawn in a quiet grove, ascetic with gentle, remorseful expression practicing breath control; delicate foliage, soft gradients, minimal objects (kamandalu, kusa), refined linework conveying restraint and inner repair.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Strong outlines, ascetic with stylized eyes, kuṇḍa flames in bright yellow-red, green grove backdrop; temple-wall symmetry, emphasis on ritual purity and controlled breath as rhythmic visual motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Central penitent figure within a circular floral border, stylized flames and lotus motifs symbolizing purification; deep maroon/indigo ground with gold detailing, repeating patterns of beads and water-drops to suggest prāṇāyāma and cleansing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["controlled breathing","low fire crackle","distant birds","soft temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कामात् + प्रायश्चित्तम् → कामात्प्रायश्चित्तम्; कुर्यात् + सांतपनम् → कुर्य्यात्सांतपनम् (orthographic doubling as transmitted).
FAQs
The verse prescribes performing prāyaścitta in the form of the Sāṃtapana penance, specifically accompanied by prāṇāyāma (breath-control), undertaken with a composed mind and purity.
Prāṇāyāma is presented as a disciplining and purifying support to expiation—helping stabilize the mind (samāhita) and reinforcing inner purification alongside the external act of penance.
It links moral lapse driven by lust (kāma) with personal responsibility: one should respond through self-restraint, purification (śauca), and corrective discipline rather than denial or indifference.