Shloka 32
Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations
Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa
पयसा वापि मासेन पराकेणापि वा पुनः / ऋषभैकं सहस्रं गा दद्यात्क्षत्त्रवधे पुमान्
payasā vāpi māsena parākeṇāpi vā punaḥ / ṛṣabhaikaṃ sahasraṃ gā dadyātkṣattravadhe pumān
क्षत्त्रवधे पुमान् प्रायश्चित्तार्थं मासं पयः पिबेत्, अथवा पराकव्रतं चरेत्; अथवा ऋषभैकं सहस्रं गाश्च दद्यात्।
Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Prāyaścitta calibrates the moral weight of harm; dāna and vrata function as restorative discipline for varṇa-hatyā.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and adhikāra: actions bind and require purification; self-restraint and sattva-increase prepare the mind for higher knowledge.
Application: Treat harm as requiring concrete repair: undertake time-bound austerity (milk-diet/parāka) and restitutionary giving (supporting cattle/agrarian livelihood) rather than denial.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (Prāyaścitta for various killings; graded expiations by varṇa and species)
FAQs
This verse shows that serious wrongdoing is addressed through defined expiations—vows (like a milk regimen), austerities (parāka), and purifying charity (donation of cows)—to restore dharmic balance.
By prescribing remedies for grave sins, it implies that unatoned actions weigh on the soul’s post-death journey; corrective rites and dāna reduce the burden of pāpa that would otherwise intensify suffering in Yama’s domain.
Treat harm and injustice as requiring concrete repair: disciplined self-restraint, sincere penance, and meaningful restitution/charity—done ethically and under competent guidance—rather than mere regret.