Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
प्रायश्चित्तं तु रत्नानां स्तेये राजतवत्स्मृतम् । गुरुतल्पगतानां च प्रायश्चित्तमुदीर्यते ॥ ५६ ॥
prāyaścittaṃ tu ratnānāṃ steye rājatavatsmṛtam | gurutalpagatānāṃ ca prāyaścittamudīryate || 56 ||
Bagi kecurian permata, penebusan dosa dinyatakan sama seperti yang ditetapkan untuk mencuri perak. Dan penebusan bagi mereka yang melanggar tempat tidur guru juga dinyatakan.
Narada (teaching in a Dharma/Prāyaścitta context, traditionally within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It frames prāyaścitta as a Dharma tool to restore moral and ritual order: even serious transgressions are addressed through codified penances, emphasizing accountability and purification.
Indirectly: by prescribing purification after wrongdoing, it supports a life fit for sādhana and worship—ethical conduct and rectification are treated as foundations for sustained devotional practice.
Dharma-śāstra/Smṛti-based ritual jurisprudence: the verse applies rule-by-analogy (ratna theft treated like silver theft) and categorizes grave offenses (mahāpātaka such as gurutalpa) with corresponding penances.