Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
यद्वा दद्याद्द्विजेंद्राणां गवामयुतमुत्तसम् । एतेष्वन्यतमं कृत्वा ब्रह्महा शुद्धिमान्पुयात् ॥ १४ ॥
yadvā dadyāddvijeṃdrāṇāṃ gavāmayutamuttasam | eteṣvanyatamaṃ kṛtvā brahmahā śuddhimānpuyāt || 14 ||
Ou bien, l’on peut offrir aux plus éminents des deux-fois-nés un don excellent : dix mille vaches. Ayant accompli l’une quelconque de ces expiations, même le meurtrier d’un brāhmaṇa devient purifié.
Narada (teaching expiatory dharma within a dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that sincere prāyaścitta (atonement)—including major acts of dāna—can restore purity even after grave sin, emphasizing ethical responsibility and disciplined repentance.
While primarily a dharma/prāyaścitta instruction, it supports bhakti indirectly by stressing inner and outer purification—considered a prerequisite for steady worship and a sattvic life devoted to the Divine.
It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) through the structured use of dāna as an expiatory rite, showing how prescribed acts function within Vedic ritual law and penance systems.