Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
महापातकिसंसर्गे प्रायश्चित्तं निगद्यते । प्रायश्चित्तविशुद्धात्मा सर्वकर्मफलं लभेत् ॥ ७० ॥
mahāpātakisaṃsarge prāyaścittaṃ nigadyate | prāyaścittaviśuddhātmā sarvakarmaphalaṃ labhet || 70 ||
Pour la fréquentation d’un grand pécheur (mahāpātakin), une expiation (prāyaścitta) est prescrite. Celui dont l’être intérieur est purifié par cette expiation obtient le plein fruit de toutes les actions méritoires.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada in the prāyaścitta section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It teaches that moral and ritual impurity arising from harmful association can be rectified through prāyaścitta, restoring inner purity and thereby enabling one to receive the full results of dharmic actions.
By emphasizing purification (śuddhi) as foundational, it supports bhakti indirectly: a cleansed mind and conduct make devotion steady and effective, preventing the loss or dilution of spiritual merit through impure association.
Ritual discipline and expiation (prayoga of prāyaścitta) are implied—procedural dharma guidance aligned with Kalpa/Vedāṅga-style application of rites to correct transgressions and restore eligibility for religious acts.