Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
श्रोत्रियाणां द्विजानां तु हृत्वा हेमैवमाचरेत् । कृतानुतापो देहे च संपूर्णे लेपयेद् धृतम् ॥ ४० ॥
śrotriyāṇāṃ dvijānāṃ tu hṛtvā hemaivamācaret | kṛtānutāpo dehe ca saṃpūrṇe lepayed dhṛtam || 40 ||
வேதத்தில் நிபுணரான ஶ்ரோத்ரிய த்விஜர்களிடமிருந்து பொன் திருடினால், விதிப்படி அதற்குரிய ப்ராயச்சித்தத்தைச் செய்ய வேண்டும்; உண்மையான அனுதாபத்துடன் முழு உடலிலும் க்ஹ்ருதம் (நெய்) பூச வேண்டும்.
Narada (teaching in a dharma-prāyaścitta context; dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara is assumed for this section)
Vrata: prāyaścitta for hiraṇya-steya (gold theft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It emphasizes that offenses against śrotriya dvijas are grave and that purification requires both inner change (anutāpa, sincere remorse) and an outward, rule-based prāyaścitta to restore dharmic order.
While not directly a bhakti-verse, it supports bhakti indirectly by insisting on ethical purity and repentance—foundational qualities for sincere devotion and a clean conscience in worship.
It reflects Kalpa/Smārta ritual knowledge: a codified expiation procedure (prāyaścitta) with a specific bodily act (anointing with ghṛta) performed after acknowledging wrongdoing.