Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 86
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
त्रिरात्रो पोषणाच्छुद्ध्ये त्पंचगव्याशनाद्विज । स्नानदानजपादौ च भोजनादौ च नारद ॥ ८६ ॥
trirātro poṣaṇācchuddhye tpaṃcagavyāśanādvija | snānadānajapādau ca bhojanādau ca nārada || 86 ||
त्रिरात्रेण पोषणेन शुद्धिर्भवति, अथवा पञ्चगव्याशनेन, हे द्विज। तथा स्नानदानजपादौ, भोजनादौ च, नारद, शुद्धिविधयः प्रोक्ताः ॥
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma/prāyaścitta context)
Vrata: trirātra (three-night) śuddhi-observance (as prāyaścitta)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It presents practical prāyaścitta (expiatory) tools—regulated fasting/light sustenance and pañcagavya—linking inner purity with disciplined conduct in bathing, charity, mantra-japa, and food.
By emphasizing cleanliness, restraint, and sacred routine (snāna, dāna, japa), it supports bhakti as a lived discipline where purity of body and habit strengthens steadiness in worship and remembrance.
It reflects Kalpa/Vedic ritual practice: concrete rules for śauca (purity), prāyaścitta, and āhāra-niyama (dietary regulation) as part of dharma-oriented observance.