Shloka 65

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

यथा कथञ्चित्त्रिगुणः प्रजापत्यो ऽयमुच्यते / अयमेवातिकृच्छ्रः स्यात्पाणिपूर्णाम्बुभोजनात्

Transliteration

yathā kathañcittriguṇaḥ prajāpatyo 'yamucyate / ayamevātikṛcchraḥ syātpāṇipūrṇāmbubhojanāt

Translation

ไม่ว่าด้วยประการใด พรตนี้เรียกว่า “ปราชาปัตยะสามเท่า” และพรตเดียวกันนี้ย่อมเป็น “อติ-กฤจฉฺร” เมื่อจำกัดการยังชีพไว้เพียงน้ำที่ตักด้วยอุ้งมือ

Word by Word

• यथा: as/according to
• यथा: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/उपमानवाचक (as/according as)

• कथञ्चित्: somehow
• कथञ्चित्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् + चित् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनिश्चितार्थक क्रियाविशेषणम् (somehow/in some way)

• त्रिगुणः: threefold
• त्रिगुणः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास; विशेषणम् (प्रजापत्यः)

• प्रजापत्यः: the prājāpatya (penance)
• प्रजापत्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक) → प्राजापत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; व्रतनाम

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एव: indeed
• एव: Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphasis)

• अतिकृच्छ्रः: the ‘ati-kṛcchra’ (very severe penance)
• अतिकृच्छ्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति + कृच्छ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (अत्यन्तं कृच्छ्रः)

• स्यात्: would be/should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• पाणिपूर्णाम्बुभोजनात्: from eating (only) water filling the palm (i.e., palmful of water)
• पाणिपूर्णाम्बुभोजनात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि + पूर्ण + अम्बु + भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/Ablative—हेतु), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (पाणिपूर्ण-अम्बु-भोजनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Threefold Prājāpatya as a graded expiation; the same becomes Ati-kṛcchra when limited to palmful water.

Vedantic Theme: Austerity reduces identification with the body and senses; karma-śuddhi supports inwardness.

Application: Understand gradations of penance; choose proportionate expiation rather than indiscriminate severity; cultivate simplicity and restraint.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (Prājāpatya and Ati-kṛcchra definitions)

Characters & Entities

• Prajapati

FAQs

What is the importance of Prājāpatya prāyaścitta in the Garuda Purana?

This verse identifies the Prājāpatya as a recognized expiatory observance and clarifies its graded form—showing how discipline in intake functions as a scriptural method of purification.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By prescribing prāyaścitta (expiation), the text points to ethical self-correction: reducing karmic burden through disciplined vows, which supports a cleaner post-death journey and better spiritual outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt measured austerity under guidance—such as controlled diet, fasting, and sincere atonement—paired with ethical reform, rather than treating rituals as substitutes for changed conduct.