Shloka 14

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas (Great Sins), Vows, Tīrtha, and Sin-Destroying Observances

Devanagari script

सर्वस्वदानं विधिवत्सर्वपापविशोधनम् / चान्द्रायणं च विधिना कृतं चैवातिकृच्छ्रकम्

Transliteration

sarvasvadānaṃ vidhivatsarvapāpaviśodhanam / cāndrāyaṇaṃ ca vidhinā kṛtaṃ caivātikṛcchrakam

Translation

The gift of one’s entire wealth, when performed according to proper rule, purifies all sins. Likewise, the Cāndrāyaṇa vow and the severe Atikṛcchra penance too—when undertaken in the prescribed manner—bring purification.

Word by Word

• सर्वस्वदानम्: gift of one’s entire property
• सर्वस्वदानम्: Karma/Upaya (Means/उपाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वस्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; समासः: सर्वस्वस्य दानम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• विधिवत्: according to prescribed rule
• विधिवत्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: according to rule)

• सर्वपापविशोधनम्: purifying from all sins
• सर्वपापविशोधनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + विशोधन (प्रातिपदिक; वि√शुध्-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; समासः: सर्वेषां पापानां विशोधनम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; (सर्वस्वदानम्/चान्द्रायणम्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• चान्द्रायणम्: the cāndrāyaṇa penance
• चान्द्रायणम्: Karma/Upaya (Means/उपाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चान्द्रायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (and)

• विधिना: by the prescribed procedure
• विधिना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचनम्

• कृतम्: performed/done
• कृतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; (चान्द्रायणम्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (and)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (indeed)

• अतिकृच्छ्रकम्: the ‘atikṛcchraka’ penance
• अतिकृच्छ्रकम्: Karma/Upaya (Means/उपाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + कृच्छ्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; समासः: अतिकृच्छ्रकं (अत्यन्तं कृच्छ्रकं व्रतम्) इति कर्मधारयः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Comprehensive purification arises from rule-bound total charity (sarvasva-dāna) and properly performed Cāndrāyaṇa and Atikṛcchra penances.

Vedantic Theme: Iśvara-arpana and tyāga (renunciation) reduce egoic grasping; karma is attenuated by dāna and tapas when aligned with vidhi (right method).

Application: When seeking repair, combine material restitution (giving up ill-gotten/attached resources) with disciplined lifestyle reform, done transparently and correctly.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.52.12 (Cāndrāyaṇa); Garuda Purana 1.52.13 (Tapta-Kṛcchra)

FAQs

What is the importance of Cāndrāyaṇa and Atikṛcchra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights them as powerful forms of prāyaścitta (expiation): when done strictly by rule, they function as major purifiers of sin and moral impurity.

How does this verse connect karma and purification in Garuda Purana?

It teaches that karmic stain (pāpa) can be reduced through disciplined, scripturally guided actions—especially complete charity and rigorous vows—emphasizing method (vidhi) as essential.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice sincere charity within your capacity and adopt disciplined observances (fasting/vows) under proper guidance, focusing on ethical reform and correct intention rather than mere display.