Shloka 78
Adhyāya 166: Kṛtaghna-doṣa (कृतघ्नदोषः) — the fault of ingratitude and the limits of expiation
एवमेतत् समुद्दिष्टं प्रायश्षित्तं सनातनम् । ब्राह्मणस्य विशेषण यदज्ञानेन सम्भवेत्
evam etat samuddiṣṭaṃ prāyaścittaṃ sanātanam | brāhmaṇasya viśeṣeṇa yad ajñānena sambhavet ||
Bhīṣma said: “Thus has this ancient expiation been set forth. It is prescribed with particular emphasis for a brāhmaṇa, for expiation is meant for the sin that may arise through ignorance—an unintended lapse rather than a deliberate wrong.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prāyaścitta (atonement) is primarily intended for faults committed in ignorance or without deliberate intent; Bhīṣma emphasizes that such remedial discipline is an ancient dharmic provision, with special applicability and strictness for brāhmaṇas.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by summarizing the established doctrine of expiation, clarifying its scope—especially regarding unintended transgressions—and noting its particular prescription for brāhmaṇas.