Shloka 15
कालनिर्देशः शोकनिवारणं च
Instruction on Kāla and the Removal of Grief
उक्तान्येतानि कर्माणि विस्तरेणेतरेण च । यानि कुर्वन्नकुर्वश्च प्रायश्षित्तीयते नर:
uktāny etāni karmāṇi vistareṇetareṇa ca | yāni kurvann akurvaś ca prāyaścittīyate naraḥ ||
Vyāsa dit : «Ces actes ont été énoncés — les uns en détail, les autres brièvement. En accomplissant certains d’entre eux et en s’abstenant de certains autres, un homme devient tenu au prāyaścitta : il encourt la nécessité d’expiation et de purification selon le dharma.»
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharma evaluates both action and omission: some deeds, if done, and some duties, if neglected (or some prohibitions, if not observed), make one liable for prāyaścitta—ritual and ethical atonement meant to restore purity and right order.
Vyāsa is summarizing a preceding set of prescriptions and prohibitions, noting that they were explained in both detailed and concise forms, and concluding that a person’s need for expiation arises from either committing certain acts or failing to observe certain required restraints/duties.