Shloka 51
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas: Liquor, Theft, Sexual Transgression, Contact with the Fallen, and Homicide
पयः पिबेत् त्रिरात्रं तु श्वानं हत्वा सुयन्त्रितः / मार्जारं वाथ नकुलं योजनं वाध्वनो व्रजेत् / कृच्छ्रं द्वादशरात्रं तु कुर्यादश्ववधे द्विजः
payaḥ pibet trirātraṃ tu śvānaṃ hatvā suyantritaḥ / mārjāraṃ vātha nakulaṃ yojanaṃ vādhvano vrajet / kṛcchraṃ dvādaśarātraṃ tu kuryādaśvavadhe dvijaḥ
Having killed a dog, a person—well-restrained—should subsist on milk for three nights. Having killed a cat or a mongoose, one should travel a yojana on foot. But in the case of killing a horse, a twice-born man should perform the kṛcchra penance for twelve nights.
Vyasa (narratorial Dharma-instruction in Purāṇic discourse)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It does not directly teach Ātman-metaphysics; it frames dharma through prāyaścitta, implying that self-discipline (saṃyama) and ethical accountability purify the doer and reduce karmic obstruction to higher knowledge.
The verse emphasizes saṃyama (restraint) and regulated austerity (kṛcchra), which function as preparatory disciplines—ethical and bodily regulation—supporting later yogic practice by cultivating control over appetite, conduct, and remorse.
It does not explicitly mention Śiva or Viṣṇu; its contribution to the Purāṇa’s synthesis is indirect—establishing dharmic purification and restraint as a shared foundation for both Śaiva (e.g., Pāśupata) and Vaiṣṇava spiritual paths.