Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 77
राजोवाच । तदर्थं देहि मे विप्र प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये । येन निर्मुक्तपापोऽहं राज्यं प्राप्नोमि चात्मनः
rājovāca | tadarthaṃ dehi me vipra prāyaścittaṃ viśuddhaye | yena nirmuktapāpo'haṃ rājyaṃ prāpnomi cātmanaḥ
राजोवाच—तदर्थं मे विप्र विशुद्धये प्रायश्चित्तं देहि; येनाहं पापनिर्मुक्तः स्वराज्यं चात्मकल्याणं च प्राप्नुयाम्।
The king (rājā)
Listener: Vasiṣṭha
Scene: The king folds hands before Vasiṣṭha, head bowed; the sage listens with compassion and firmness; the court fades into the background, focusing on the act of surrender.
FAQs
Authority and prosperity in rājadharma depend on inner purity; sincere confession and seeking prāyaścitta is dharmic restoration.
No specific site is named; the request anticipates guidance toward pilgrimage.
A direct request for prāyaścitta (atonement) to remove sin and restore rightful kingship.