Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 100
राजा वा राजपुत्रो वा ब्राह्मणो वा बहुश्रुतः । अकारयित्वा वपनं प्रायश्चित्तं विनिर्दिशेत्
rājā vā rājaputro vā brāhmaṇo vā bahuśrutaḥ | akārayitvā vapanaṃ prāyaścittaṃ vinirdiśet
سواءٌ كان ملكاً أو ابنَ ملكٍ أو براهمناً واسعَ العلم؛ إن كان قد تسبّب في إجراء الحلق (على غير وجهه)، فعليه أن يعيّن كفّارةً وتوبةً.
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A king or learned brāhmaṇa stands before a Kāśī priestly council; a palm-leaf text is consulted; the offender accepts a prescribed expiation, showing humility in the sacred city.
FAQs
Social rank does not exempt one from dharma; wrongdoing requires acknowledgement and corrective penance.
Kāśī is the overarching sacred setting where dharma and expiation are taught as part of the city’s sanctifying power.
If one commissions an improper shaving/tonsure, one must prescribe and undertake appropriate prāyaścitta (expiation).