Shloka 18
Prāyaścitta and Contextual Non-Culpability (प्रायश्चित्त-निमित्त-अदोषवाद)
बृहस्पतिसवेनेष्ट्वा सुरापो ब्राह्मण: पुनः । समितिं ब्राह्मणो गच्छेदिति वै ब्रह्मण: श्रुति:
bṛhaspatisavenēṣṭvā surāpo brāhmaṇaḥ punaḥ | samitiṃ brāhmaṇo gacched iti vai brahmaṇaḥ śrutiḥ ||
毗耶娑说：“即便婆罗门曾饮醉酒，若行名为‘布里哈斯帕提-萨瓦’（Bṛhaspati-sava）之祭，亦能再得清净；《闻传》（Śruti）宣示：此婆罗门遂可入梵天（Brahmā）之会。”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that while drinking intoxicants is a serious transgression for a Brāhmaṇa, Vedic tradition also provides a recognized path of expiation: by performing the Bṛhaspati-sava, one can be purified and restored to eligibility for sacred association, as affirmed by Śruti.
Vyāsa cites a Vedic (Śruti) statement to support a point about dharma and expiation: he gives an example of a liquor-drinking Brāhmaṇa who, after completing a specific sacrificial rite, is deemed purified and permitted to enter Brahmā’s assembly—illustrating scriptural grounds for reintegration after atonement.