Shloka 27
Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations
Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa
स्वर्णहारी द्विजो राज्ञे दत्त्वा तु मुसलं तथा / कर्मणः ख्यापनं कृत्वा हतस्तेन भवेच्छुचिः
svarṇahārī dvijo rājñe dattvā tu musalaṃ tathā / karmaṇaḥ khyāpanaṃ kṛtvā hatastena bhavecchuciḥ
సువర్ణాన్ని దొంగిలించిన ద్విజుడు రాజుకు గదను సమర్పించి తన కర్మను బహిరంగంగా ఒప్పుకుంటే; ఆ రాజు చేత శిక్షగా హతుడైతే అతడు శుద్ధుడగును.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Prāyaścitta for mahāpātaka (gold theft) through confession, restitution-symbol (mace), and acceptance of rājadaṇḍa leading to śuddhi.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala and purification of pāpa through tapas and surrender to dharma; ethical accountability as preparatory to inner śānti.
Application: Own wrongdoing, make restitution, accept lawful consequences; prioritize transparency and corrective action over concealment.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: court/royal assembly
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (Prāyaścitta/ācāra section context)
FAQs
This verse teaches that openly acknowledging one’s wrongdoing and submitting to lawful punishment functions as a form of expiation (prāyaścitta), restoring moral purity after a grave sin.
It presents a dharma-based model where the sinner’s karma is mitigated through confession and acceptance of the king’s punitive justice, which is treated as a purifying consequence.
Practice accountability: admit wrongdoing, make restitution, and accept appropriate consequences—ethical repair and transparency are portrayed as key steps toward inner purification.