Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
कृच्छ्रार्द्धं स प्रकुर्वीत शक्त्या दद्याच्च दक्षिणाम् । प्रायश्चित्तं च कृत्वा वै भोजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान् ॥ ५९ ॥
kṛcchrārddhaṃ sa prakurvīta śaktyā dadyācca dakṣiṇām | prāyaścittaṃ ca kṛtvā vai bhojayitvā dvijottamān || 59 ||
Qu’il accomplisse la moitié de la pénitence Kṛcchra et, selon ses moyens, qu’il offre la dakṣiṇā prescrite. Après avoir dûment accompli le prāyaścitta, qu’il nourrisse ensuite les dvijottamas, les plus éminents des brāhmaṇas.
Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana dialogue tradition, typically framed to the Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: Kṛcchra (half)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
The verse frames atonement as a complete dharmic process: personal discipline (half-Kṛcchra), ethical restitution through giving (dakṣiṇā), and restoring sacred order by honoring learned brāhmaṇas with भोजन (feeding).
While primarily a dharma/prāyaścitta instruction, it supports bhakti by stressing humility, self-purification, and service to the Lord’s devotees and Vedic tradition—acts that purify intention and make worship steady.
It highlights Kalpa (ritual procedure) in practice: the structured use of penance (Kṛcchra), dakṣiṇā as a ritual component, and brāhmaṇa-bhojana as a concluding rite for prāyaścitta.