Varṇāśrama-ācāra, Aśauca (Sūtaka) Regulations, and Prāyaścitta with Funeral-Rite Notes
सर्वांश्चतुष्पदान्हत्वा अहोरात्रो षितो जपेत् / शूद्रं हत्वा चरेत्कृच्छ्रमतिकृच्छ्रं तु वैश्यहा / क्षत्त्रं चान्द्रायणं विप्रं द्वाविंशात्रिंशमाहरे (वहे) त्
sarvāṃścatuṣpadānhatvā ahorātro ṣito japet / śūdraṃ hatvā caretkṛcchramatikṛcchraṃ tu vaiśyahā / kṣattraṃ cāndrāyaṇaṃ vipraṃ dvāviṃśātriṃśamāhare (vahe) t
いかなる四足の獣を殺したなら、一日一夜の断食をして、ジャパ(真言誦持)を行うべきである。シュードラを殺したならクリッチャ(Kṛcchra)の苦行を修し、ヴァイシャを殺した者はアティクリッチャ(Atikṛcchra)を行う。クシャトリヤを殺したならチャンドラーヤナ(Cāndrāyaṇa)の誓戒を守り、ブラーフマナを殺したなら、定めに従い二十二日または二十三日に及ぶ贖罪を行うべきである。
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Prāyaścitta is graded by the severity/object of harm; japa, fasting, and vows are instruments to restore dharmic standing.
Vedantic Theme: Karma’s ethical weight varies with intention/object; purification disciplines the mind and reinscribes dharma, though ultimate liberation requires deeper transformation.
Application: Adopt non-violence; if grave wrongdoing occurs, seek rigorous, sustained atonement and reform under competent guidance.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.107.38 (ahorātra purification); Garuda Purana 1.108.1–2 (transition to nīti/dharma instruction)
This verse shows that harmful actions—especially killing—are addressed through graded penances (japa, Kṛcchra, Atikṛcchra, Cāndrāyaṇa), emphasizing ethical restraint and ritual-ethical correction of karmic fault.
By prescribing increasingly severe penances for killing beings of different social categories (and animals), the text frames killing as a grave karmic act requiring deliberate self-discipline to counteract the moral and spiritual damage.
Adopt non-violence and accountability: avoid harm to living beings, and when wrongdoing occurs, respond with sincere corrective action—self-restraint, repentance, spiritual practice (japa), and ethical reform.