Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 85
पश्चात्तापो हि सर्वेषामघानां निष्कृतिः परा । तेनैव कुरुते सद्यः प्रायश्चित्तं सुधीर्नरः
paścāttāpo hi sarveṣāmaghānāṃ niṣkṛtiḥ parā | tenaiva kurute sadyaḥ prāyaścittaṃ sudhīrnaraḥ
“Indeed, remorse is the highest expiation for all sins. Through that very remorse, the wise person at once performs true atonement.”
Brāhmaṇa (unnamed)
Scene: A person with folded hands before a sacred fire, remorse visible as bowed head; the guru indicates the heart, signifying inner expiation surpassing mere ritual.
FAQs
Genuine repentance is portrayed as the most powerful purifier and the essence of effective atonement.
No particular tīrtha is named; the focus is moral psychology and dharmic purification.
Prāyaścitta is discussed conceptually; the verse emphasizes inner remorse as the core of any expiatory act.