Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70
महापातकिसंसर्गे प्रायश्चित्तं निगद्यते । प्रायश्चित्तविशुद्धात्मा सर्वकर्मफलं लभेत् ॥ ७० ॥
mahāpātakisaṃsarge prāyaścittaṃ nigadyate | prāyaścittaviśuddhātmā sarvakarmaphalaṃ labhet || 70 ||
For association with a great sinner (mahāpātakin), an atonement (prāyaścitta) is prescribed. One whose inner being is purified by that atonement attains the full fruit of all righteous deeds.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada in the prāyaścitta section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It teaches that moral and ritual impurity arising from harmful association can be rectified through prāyaścitta, restoring inner purity and thereby enabling one to receive the full results of dharmic actions.
By emphasizing purification (śuddhi) as foundational, it supports bhakti indirectly: a cleansed mind and conduct make devotion steady and effective, preventing the loss or dilution of spiritual merit through impure association.
Ritual discipline and expiation (prayoga of prāyaścitta) are implied—procedural dharma guidance aligned with Kalpa/Vedāṅga-style application of rites to correct transgressions and restore eligibility for religious acts.