Shloka 18

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

उपपापानि चोक्तानि प्रायश्चित्तं निबोधत / शिरः कपालध्वजवान् भिक्षाशी कर्म वेदयन्

Transliteration

upapāpāni coktāni prāyaścittaṃ nibodhata / śiraḥ kapāladhvajavān bhikṣāśī karma vedayan

Translation

Die Nebenvergehen sind dargelegt; nun erkenne die Sühne (prāyaścitta) dafür: Man trage einen Schädel als Banner auf dem Haupt, lebe von Almosen und bekenne die eigene Tat offen als Buße.

Word by Word

• उपपापानि: secondary sins
• उपपापानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपपाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd: Nominative/Accusative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• उक्तानि: have been stated
• उक्तानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘उपपापानि’ इति पदस्य विशेषणम्

• प्रायश्चित्तम्: expiation
• प्रायश्चित्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रायश्चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• निबोधत: understand/learn
• निबोधत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्; उपसर्गः—नि

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कपाल-ध्वजवान्: having a skull as a banner/insignia
• कपाल-ध्वजवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कपाल (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वजवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीह्यर्थक-तत्पुरुष (कपालं ध्वजः यस्य सः)

• भिक्षाशी: living on alms
• भिक्षाशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भिक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + अश् (धातु) → आशी (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष/कृदन्त (भिक्षां अश्नाति इति)

• कर्म: deed/rite
• कर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वेदयन्: making known/declaring
• वेदयन्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु) (कारणार्थे/ज्ञापनार्थे)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Upapāpa requires prāyaścitta involving visible austerity, humility, and truthfulness about one’s act.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kṣaya through tapas and satya; purification of mind as prerequisite for higher pursuit.

Application: Adopt accountable restitution: accept consequences, simplify life, seek guidance, and practice transparent confession where appropriate (without harming others).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: public space/settlement outskirts (implied for begging and declaration)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105.17–21 (sequence: sin → atonement → specific expiations)

FAQs

What is the importance of prayashchitta for upapapa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames expiation as a structured remedy after listing secondary sins, emphasizing visible austerity, humility (living on alms), and moral accountability (confession).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to karma?

By prescribing confession and disciplined living, it implies that karmic burden can be lightened through acknowledged responsibility and corrective conduct, shaping one’s post-death consequences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Admit wrongdoing without concealment, adopt sincere restraint and simplicity, and take corrective steps that demonstrate accountability rather than repeating the same harm.