Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
दशनिष्कांतपर्यंतमूर्द्धूं निष्कचतुष्टयात् । हत्वा च रजतं विद्वान्कुर्याच्चांद्रायणं मुने ॥ ५२ ॥
daśaniṣkāṃtaparyaṃtamūrddhūṃ niṣkacatuṣṭayāt | hatvā ca rajataṃ vidvānkuryāccāṃdrāyaṇaṃ mune || 52 ||
牟尼啊，若一位学者盗取白银——价值至四尼什迦(niṣka)，或更高至十尼什迦——当行“旃陀罗耶那”(Cāndrāyaṇa)之誓戒以作忏悔。
Narada (teaching prāyaścitta norms to the sages in dialogue context)
Vrata: Cāndrāyaṇa
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It frames theft (especially of valuable metals like silver) as a dharmic transgression that must be purified through prāyaścitta, emphasizing inner restitution through regulated self-discipline (Cāndrāyaṇa).
While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports devotional life by insisting on ethical purity; the Cāndrāyaṇa vow functions as a corrective discipline that restores eligibility for worship and sacred practice.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied through the prescription of a specific vrata—Cāndrāyaṇa—whose practice follows lunar regulation and formal penance rules used in Dharma/Smṛti traditions.