Talk:Types of Kriyamāna/Āgāmī Karm:Prāyaschitta Karm

By Vishal Agarwal

These are acts of atonement or penances/expiation done to counterbalance Vikarma or evil effects of Kāmya and other acts. In a way, Prāyaschitta Karma is also a kind of Kāmya karm, because it is done with the goal or the desire to cleanse one of the evil effects of bad deeds. Below are cited some verses elucidating different aspects of this category of actions in summary.

By not performing the duties commanded by scriptures, by doing prohibited things, and by being led astray by uncontrolled senses, a person can become fallen. Such a person must perform an atonement, because doing so brings joy to his conscience and also to his community. Yājnavalkya Smriti 3.219-220

All Rishis describe a penance for an evil Karma that was unintentionally committed; some declare, on the evidence of the Shruti, that it may be performed even for an intentionally committed offence. Manusmṛti

A sin unintentionally committed is expiated by the recitation of Vedic scriptures, but that which men in their foolishness commit intentionally, by various special penances. Manusmriti 11.46 Tapas, they say, is a self-reflection, whereby reality is sought to be determined or it is a way of repentance for the sins of previous life. Garuda Purāṇa 3.21.3

Prāya is a penance wherein the mind is controlled. Hence, Prāyascitta (expiation) is a way of self-control. It is not the tonsure of the head which they do while entering penance. Garuda Purāṇa 3.21.4

Atonements are heavy or light depending on whether the evil act was committed knowingly or unknowingly, respectively, by the doer. Mahābhārata 12.35.45

Following scriptures such as Smriti texts and Dharma Shastra prescribed atonement procedures frees one of the results of evil actions. But these atonement procedures are meant only for him who believes in the scriptures and has faith. Mahābhārata 12.35.46

But they who have a prominence of hate and arrogance, and who lack faith or and do not adhere to scriptures, no procedure for atonement is prescribed for them in the scriptures. Mahābhārata 12.35.47