Shloka 93
Prāyaścitta and Contextual Non-Culpability (प्रायश्चित्त-निमित्त-अदोषवाद)
ते सर्वे धूतपाप्मानो भवन्तीति परा श्रुति: । अश्वमेध यज्ञ करनेसे भी ब्रह्महत्याका पाप शुद्ध हो जाता है, इसमें संशय नहीं है। जो इस प्रकारके लोग महायज्ञोंमें अवभूथ-स्नान करते हैं, वे सभी पापमुक्त हो जाते हैं--ऐसा श्रुतिका3 कथन है
te sarve dhūtapāpmāno bhavantīti parā śrutiḥ |
Vyāsa said: “The highest scriptural testimony declares that all such persons become cleansed of sin. Even the grave sin of brahmahatyā is purified by performing the Aśvamedha sacrifice—of this there is no doubt. Those who, in this manner, undertake the great sacrifices and perform the concluding avabhṛtha bath are all freed from sin, as the śruti affirms.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That Vedic revelation (śruti) upholds the efficacy of major sacrifices—especially the Aśvamedha and its concluding avabhṛtha bath—as powerful means of expiation, capable of purifying even extremely grave sins, thereby emphasizing ritual atonement under scriptural authority.
Vyāsa is citing śruti as authoritative proof while discussing purification and expiation: he states that those who perform great Vedic rites and complete them with the avabhṛtha bath are regarded as having their sins washed away.