131 - Expiation for not cleaning the Teeth

Varäha said:

1. “He who approaches me without chewing the tooth-stick¹, forfeits all merit in store by this single deed”.

1. The twig like the Margosa's for cleaning the teeth.

2. Thus told, Earth asked Him for the sake of the good of devotees.

Earth said:

3. How is it that, by a single óffence, all the merit in store is annihilated?

Varaha said:

4. Listen to the truth that I say that by a single offence, all the acquired merit becomes lost.

5. Man is impure because of the kapha (phlegm) and Pitta (bile) in him and also of marrow and blood. His face is foulsmelling.

6. This impurity disappears by chewing the tooth-stick. Such purity is not got by other äcãras.

Earth said:

7. What is the atonement for one who performs the rites without chewing the tooth-stick (i.e., without cleaning the teeth).

Varäha said:

 8. I shall tell you how purity can be obtained by such people.

9. Äkäshašhayana (sleeping in the open) for even days, purifies the peoplc who do the rites without chewing the tooth stick.

10. I have thus told you about the chewing of the tooth-stick and the means of purification for not using it.

11. If one does the expiation, how will he continue to have the sin?