Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59
Dharmopadeśa-Śānti: Rules of Impurity, Expiations, and Ancestor Rites
कृच्छ्रार्द्धं स प्रकुर्वीत शक्त्या दद्याच्च दक्षिणाम् । प्रायश्चित्तं च कृत्वा वै भोजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान् ॥ ५९ ॥
kṛcchrārddhaṃ sa prakurvīta śaktyā dadyācca dakṣiṇām | prāyaścittaṃ ca kṛtvā vai bhojayitvā dvijottamān || 59 ||
स अर्धकृच्छ्रं प्रकुर्वीत शक्त्या च दक्षिणां दद्यात्। प्रायश्चित्तं विधायैव द्विजोत्तमान् भोजयेत् ततः॥
Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana dialogue tradition, typically framed to the Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: Kṛcchra (half)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
The verse frames atonement as a complete dharmic process: personal discipline (half-Kṛcchra), ethical restitution through giving (dakṣiṇā), and restoring sacred order by honoring learned brāhmaṇas with भोजन (feeding).
While primarily a dharma/prāyaścitta instruction, it supports bhakti by stressing humility, self-purification, and service to the Lord’s devotees and Vedic tradition—acts that purify intention and make worship steady.
It highlights Kalpa (ritual procedure) in practice: the structured use of penance (Kṛcchra), dakṣiṇā as a ritual component, and brāhmaṇa-bhojana as a concluding rite for prāyaścitta.