90 - The expiatory rites of the ascetics 

Sūta said: 

1. Henceforth, I shall mention decisively thc mode of expiation by asectics. This is recounted by Shiva and it makes adequate atonement for the sins of ascetics. 

2. Sins are of three types; those originating from speech, mind and body. It is by these that the universe is encompassed always, by day and by night. 

3. “Without activities the world cannot be sustained even for a moment”, says the sacred Shruti. It is the only instrument that is conducive to longevity and sustenance. 

4. It is only to the unerring that the yoga becomes accessible. Indeed, yoga is the greatest strength. There is no other auspicious thing for men that is greater than yoga. 

5-7. Hence, learned men endowed with virtue praise yoga. They shall conquer (ignorance) by knowledge and attain excellent aishvarya.  After seeing the greatest being inferior to none, the sell-possessed ones will attain that region. There are main and subsidiary holy rites to be observed by the mendicants (Bhikshus). Expiatory rites are also laid down for violating any of them. 

By carnally approaching a woman the mendicant incurs sin and for that the following expiatory rite is mentioned. 

8. He shall perform Prāņāyāma and observe the rite Santapana.845 Then with great concentration and attention at the end, he shall perform the Krucchra846 rite in accordance with the direction. 

845. santapanam -- a rigid penance; of. Manu, II, 213; also Mitikshara on Yajñavalkya (prayaschitta). 

846. ST. Supplies prājāpatyam with krucchram. For detail, see p. 45 note 62. 

         9-10. Again the Bhiksu shall return to the hermitage and perform the site alcrtfully. Learned men say that a virtuous falsehood does not injure one. Still it should not be pursued. Its mere context is terrible. The expiatory rite is fasting for a night and a day and a hundred Prāņāyāmas. 

          11. Evil utterance and discussion shall not be pursued by an ascetic desirous of attaining Dharma, Thieving shall not be indulged in even when he is in great distress. 

12-13. Shruti says that there is no evil greater than stealing. What is mentioned as "stealing" is a great violence that is inseparablc from it. What is named "wealth" constitutes the external vital airs (Prāņas). Hence, he who takes away the wealth of anyone really takes away the vital airs of that person. 

14-15. A person who is wicked in mind becomes one who has transgressed the bounds of good conduct by doing so (i.e. by stealing). He becomes one who has fallen down from his holy rite. He shall repent for it again and again and perform the rite of Chândrāyaṇa847 for a year in accordance with the injunctions laid down in scriptures. So says Shruti. At the end of the year he shall eliminate all his sins. The Bhikshu shall then alertfully repent and perform the rites.

847. Chândrāyaṇa: See p. 45 note 61. 

          16-17a. Thc Bhikshu shall abstain from injury to all living beings mentally, verbally and physically. If the Bhikshu injures animals and worms even unwittingly he shall perform the rite of Krucchrātikrucchra or Chändrāyaṇa. 

17b-18a. If, on seeing a woman, the ascetics were to have involuntary emission of semen due to his weakness, he shall observe sixteen prāņāyāmas. 

18b-19a. Now the expiatory rite of a brahnmin who has seminal emission during the day time, is laid down. He shall observe fast for three nights and perform hundred priņāyāmas. 

19b-20a. If he has nocturnal emission, he shall take a clean bath and have twelve Dhāraņās. O brahmins, by means of the prāņāyāma, one becomes a pure soul and free from sins. 

20b-21. The following are forbilden foodstuffs for ascetics viz.-- alms from a single house every day, honey, winc, flesh (meat), uncooked food as well as salt itself. Expiatory rites are laid down for violating anyone of these. 

22-23. He is freed from that sin by the observance of Prājāpatya and Krucchra. In regard to other transgressions whether mental, verbal or physical he shall consult good men and perform what they lay down. 

24. One shall view a lump of clay and gold alike and perform the rites. He shall be pure and clean. He shall have great concentration and attention in regard to all living beings. By living thus, he attains that stable, unchanging and great abode from where he is not born again.