Shloka 27
Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations
Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa
स्वर्णहारी द्विजो राज्ञे दत्त्वा तु मुसलं तथा / कर्मणः ख्यापनं कृत्वा हतस्तेन भवेच्छुचिः
svarṇahārī dvijo rājñe dattvā tu musalaṃ tathā / karmaṇaḥ khyāpanaṃ kṛtvā hatastena bhavecchuciḥ
Seorang kelahiran dua kali yang mencuri emas, setelah menyerahkan cokmar kepada raja dan mengakui perbuatannya, menjadi suci jika dia dihukum mati oleh raja itu.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Prāyaścitta for mahāpātaka (gold theft) through confession, restitution-symbol (mace), and acceptance of rājadaṇḍa leading to śuddhi.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and purification of pāpa through tapas and surrender to dharma; ethical accountability as preparatory to inner śānti.
Application: Own wrongdoing, make restitution, accept lawful consequences; prioritize transparency and corrective action over concealment.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: court/royal assembly
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (Prāyaścitta/ācāra section context)
FAQs
This verse teaches that openly acknowledging one’s wrongdoing and submitting to lawful punishment functions as a form of expiation (prāyaścitta), restoring moral purity after a grave sin.
It presents a dharma-based model where the sinner’s karma is mitigated through confession and acceptance of the king’s punitive justice, which is treated as a purifying consequence.
Practice accountability: admit wrongdoing, make restitution, and accept appropriate consequences—ethical repair and transparency are portrayed as key steps toward inner purification.