Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 86
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
त्रिरात्रो पोषणाच्छुद्ध्ये त्पंचगव्याशनाद्विज । स्नानदानजपादौ च भोजनादौ च नारद ॥ ८६ ॥
trirātro poṣaṇācchuddhye tpaṃcagavyāśanādvija | snānadānajapādau ca bhojanādau ca nārada || 86 ||
Ô dvija, la purification s’obtient par une observance de trois nuits avec une nourriture légère, ou par la consommation de pañcagavya. De même, ô Nārada, pour le bain, la dāna (aumône), le japa, et aussi pour les règles touchant la nourriture et la conduite qui s’y rapporte, ces moyens de purification sont prescrits.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma/prāyaścitta context)
Vrata: trirātra (three-night) śuddhi-observance (as prāyaścitta)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It presents practical prāyaścitta (expiatory) tools—regulated fasting/light sustenance and pañcagavya—linking inner purity with disciplined conduct in bathing, charity, mantra-japa, and food.
By emphasizing cleanliness, restraint, and sacred routine (snāna, dāna, japa), it supports bhakti as a lived discipline where purity of body and habit strengthens steadiness in worship and remembrance.
It reflects Kalpa/Vedic ritual practice: concrete rules for śauca (purity), prāyaścitta, and āhāra-niyama (dietary regulation) as part of dharma-oriented observance.