Shloka 55
पापभेदवर्णनम्
Classification of Sins / Taxonomy of Pāpa
नियमाचारयुक्तानां प्रमादात्स्खलितात्मनाम् । प्रायश्चित्तैर्गुरुश्शास्ता न बुधैरिष्यते यमः
niyamācārayuktānāṃ pramādātskhalitātmanām | prāyaścittairguruśśāstā na budhairiṣyate yamaḥ
For those established in vows (niyama) and right conduct, who slip only through inadvertence, the wise do not accept Yama as their chastiser; their correction is effected by the guru through prescribed expiations (prāyaścitta).
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It teaches that for sincere practitioners rooted in niyama and right conduct, accidental lapses are purified through guru-guided prāyaścitta, emphasizing reform and inner purification over punitive fear of Yama—aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s path of removing pāśa (impurities/bonds).
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion are sustained by disciplined conduct (ācāra) and humility; when a devotee errs unintentionally, Shiva’s tradition directs them back through expiation and renewed worship under the guru, rather than despairing over karmic punishment.
Undertake appropriate prāyaścitta as instructed by one’s guru—typically including mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara), purification through regulated worship, and renewed observance of vows—so the lapse is corrected and discipline restored.