Shloka 59
Prāyaścitta for Theft, Forbidden Foods, Impurity, and Ritual Lapses; Tīrtha–Vrata Remedies; Pativratā Mahātmyam via Sītā and Agni
षष्ठान्नकालतामासं संहिताजप एव च / होमाश्च शाकला नित्यमपाङ्क्तानां विशोधनम्
ṣaṣṭhānnakālatāmāsaṃ saṃhitājapa eva ca / homāśca śākalā nityamapāṅktānāṃ viśodhanam
Pour ceux qui sont devenus apāṅktya (indignes de s’asseoir dans la rangée commune des repas et des rites), la purification est prescrite ainsi : garder durant un mois la règle du « temps du sixième repas », réciter la Saṃhitā en japa, et accomplir sans cesse les homa Śākala ; tels sont les moyens de leur purification.
Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s dharma/prāyaścitta instructions as taught in the tradition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
This verse is primarily dharma-śāstra in tone: it focuses on external and internal purification through disciplined conduct (niyama), Vedic recitation, and homa, which in the Purāṇic view supports clarity (śuddhi) conducive to realizing the Self.
It highlights discipline (niyama) and mantra-japa—specifically Saṃhitā recitation—along with daily homa as a purificatory sādhanā; these function as preparatory practices that steady the practitioner for higher contemplative paths described elsewhere in the Kurma tradition.
The verse does not explicitly mention Śiva or Viṣṇu; however, its emphasis on Vedic japa and homa reflects the shared ritual foundation honored across Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis in the Kurma Purana, where purity and right practice underpin devotion and liberation.