Shloka 21
Vow-Fasting (Anaśana), Sannyāsa, Tīrtha-Death, and the Ethics of Dāna
चान्द्रायणं चरेत् कृत्स्नमनुज्ञातश्च तैर्द्विजैः / अनृतं न वदेत् पश्चाद्धर्ममेव समाचरेत्
cāndrāyaṇaṃ caret kṛtsnamanujñātaśca tairdvijaiḥ / anṛtaṃ na vadet paścāddharmameva samācaret
Dengan izin para dwija (Brahmana yang berilmu), hendaklah seseorang melaksanakan penebusan Cāndrāyaṇa dengan sempurna. Sesudah itu, jangan berkata dusta dan amalkan dharma semata-mata.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Prāyaścitta must be properly authorized and completed; thereafter satya (truth) and dharma must be firmly practiced.
Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (purification of mind) as a prerequisite for higher realization; satya as a stabilizer of dharmic life.
Application: Undertake corrective disciplines with qualified guidance; adopt a strict commitment to truthfulness and consistent ethical conduct after atonement.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Dharma sections): prāyaścitta discussions; tīrtha and śuddhi themes in adjacent verses 2.36.22–25
FAQs
This verse presents Cāndrāyaṇa as a complete expiatory discipline (prāyaścitta) to be undertaken properly—traditionally under the guidance/permission of qualified dvijas—followed by a firm commitment to truthful speech and dharmic conduct.
The Preta Kanda repeatedly links one’s post-death condition to accumulated pāpa and purification; here, expiation plus a change in conduct (truth and dharma) is indicated as a corrective path that helps prevent further karmic bondage that would otherwise bear fruit in Yama’s domain.
Seek competent guidance for any religious vow or expiation, and more importantly, adopt the lasting discipline this verse stresses: avoid falsehood and make daily choices aligned with dharma (integrity, responsibility, and ethical restraint).