Shloka 29
Prāyaścitta-vidhāna: Tapas, Dāna, Vrata, and Proportional Expiation (प्रायश्चित्तविधानम्)
दीक्षितस्य कदर्यस्य क्रतुविक्रयिकस्य च । तक्ष्णश्चर्मावकर्तश्व पुंश्चल्या रजकस्य च
dīkṣitasya kadaryasya kratuvikrayikasya ca | takṣṇaś carmāvakartaś ca puṃścalyā rajakasya ca
Vyāsa dit : «(Considérez) celui qui, après avoir reçu la consécration, demeure avare ; celui qui vend les rites sacrificiels (kratu) pour le gain ; le charpentier ; le tanneur et dépouilleur de peaux ; la femme débauchée ; et le blanchisseur.»
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that moral evaluation in dharma-discourse considers both inner disposition and means of livelihood: mere ritual consecration (dīkṣā) does not sanctify a person if accompanied by miserliness or mercenary exploitation of sacred rites, and certain occupations/behaviors are cited as ethically or socially problematic within the text’s normative framework.
Vyāsa is listing categories of people—defined by flawed character, questionable religious commerce, or stigmatized occupations/sexual conduct—as part of a broader Shānti Parva discussion that classifies conduct and its consequences, setting up guidance on what is blameworthy or leads to adverse results.