Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
चांद्रायणत्रयं प्रोक्तं शूद्रोच्छिष्टस्य भोजने । रजस्वलां च चांडालं महापातकिनं तथा ॥ ८३ ॥
cāṃdrāyaṇatrayaṃ proktaṃ śūdrocchiṣṭasya bhojane | rajasvalāṃ ca cāṃḍālaṃ mahāpātakinaṃ tathā || 83 ||
শূদ্রের উচ্ছিষ্ট (জঠা) ভোজন করলে তিনটি চন্দ্রায়ণ ব্রত প্রায়শ্চিত্ত বলা হয়েছে। তদ্রূপ রজস্বলা নারী, চাণ্ডাল ও মহাপাতকীর সংস্পর্শের ক্ষেত্রেও একই প্রায়শ্চিত্ত।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on dharma and prāyaścitta)
Vrata: Cāndrāyaṇa-vrata (three times)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse frames purification as a disciplined vrata (Cāndrāyaṇa) that restores ritual and ethical order after acts considered polluting, emphasizing self-restraint and corrective practice rather than mere condemnation.
While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports a bhakti-oriented life by prescribing inner and outer cleanliness and regulated conduct—seen as supportive disciplines (aṅgas) for sustained worship and sādhana.
It highlights ritual practice and calendrical discipline: Cāndrāyaṇa is a lunar-based penance tied to tithi/phase regulation, aligning observance with traditional time-reckoning used in Vedic ritual contexts.