Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय
पातकी च तदर्धेन शुध्यते वृत्तवान्यदि उपपातकिनः सर्वे तदर्धेनैव सुव्रताः
pātakī ca tadardhena śudhyate vṛttavānyadi upapātakinaḥ sarve tadardhenaiva suvratāḥ
Si el pecador se establece en la recta conducta, queda purificado incluso con la mitad de la expiación prescrita; y todos los infractores menores (upapātakins) también, oh vosotros de excelentes votos, se purifican con esa mitad solamente.
Suta Goswami
It teaches that outer expiation becomes more effective when joined with inner dharmic conduct—supporting the Shaiva view that Linga-puja must be accompanied by śīla (right living) for genuine purification.
By implying purification is not merely mechanical, it aligns with Shiva as Pati who loosens pasha (bondage) when the pashu (soul) turns toward disciplined conduct and worship, making grace and practice converge.
Prāyaścitta supported by vrata and ācāra—an ethic central to Pāśupata-oriented discipline where restraint, truthful living, and regulated vows amplify the cleansing power of ritual.