Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 77
राजोवाच । तदर्थं देहि मे विप्र प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये । येन निर्मुक्तपापोऽहं राज्यं प्राप्नोमि चात्मनः
rājovāca | tadarthaṃ dehi me vipra prāyaścittaṃ viśuddhaye | yena nirmuktapāpo'haṃ rājyaṃ prāpnomi cātmanaḥ
Le roi dit : «C’est pourquoi, ô brāhmane, accorde-moi une expiation (prāyaścitta) pour ma purification, afin que—délivré du péché—je recouvre ma souveraineté légitime et mon propre bien-être.»
The king (rājā)
Listener: Vasiṣṭha
Scene: The king folds hands before Vasiṣṭha, head bowed; the sage listens with compassion and firmness; the court fades into the background, focusing on the act of surrender.
FAQs
Authority and prosperity in rājadharma depend on inner purity; sincere confession and seeking prāyaścitta is dharmic restoration.
No specific site is named; the request anticipates guidance toward pilgrimage.
A direct request for prāyaścitta (atonement) to remove sin and restore rightful kingship.