Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
सुरापी शुद्धिमाप्नोति नान्यथा शुद्धिरिष्यते । अज्ञानादात्मबुद्द्या तु सुरां पीत्वा द्विजश्चरेत् ॥ २७ ॥
surāpī śuddhimāpnoti nānyathā śuddhiriṣyate | ajñānādātmabuddyā tu surāṃ pītvā dvijaścaret || 27 ||
Peminum surā (arak) memperoleh penyucian—tiada penyucian lain yang ditetapkan. Tetapi jika seorang dwija (kelahiran dua kali) telah meminum surā kerana kejahilan, menyangkanya sebagai sesuatu yang lain, dia kemudiannya harus menjalani proses penebusan dosa yang ditetapkan.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma/prāyaścitta context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
FAQs
It stresses that purification is not merely moral regret but a defined dharmic process (śuddhi through prāyaścitta), especially for serious transgressions like surāpāna, restoring eligibility for Vedic conduct.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by insisting on inner and outer purity (śauca) through corrective discipline; such purification safeguards a devotee’s capacity to follow dharma and worship with steadiness.
It reflects Kalpa/Smārta-prayoga principles (ritual procedure and expiation rules): when an act is done in ignorance versus knowingly, the prescribed remedial observance differs in application and intent.