Vayu said:
1. Henceforth I shall explain decisively the expiations prescribed for ascetics for their (evil) actions done by them unintentionally. But people who know the subtle Dharma say that there are expiations for actions done out of lust or deliberately, as well.
2. Sin is proclaimed as threefold, according as it is born of (results from) speech, mind and body both by day or night continuously. By this the whole world is bound.
3. The great Shruti declares that no man can stay without activities. In life every moment has to be spent in activity1 for its sustenance.
1. Cf. BG III.5
4. One shall be self-possessed and un-erring. Yoga is the greatest strength. There is nothing seen to be greater than Yoga for men here. Hence, the wise who are endowed with piety praise Yoga.
5. Intelligent and resolute men transcending ignorance through knowledge, attain excellent Aishvarya. Having discriminated between the greater and the lesser, they attain the highest region.
6. Expiation is prescribed for the violation of any major or minor vow ordained for the mendicant.
7. If he approaches a woman cut of lust, the expiation prescribed is that he shall perform the rite of Santapana2 along with Pranayama.
2. Santapana is generally prescribed for pollution or falling off from caste (Jati-bhramsha-kara). It lasts for two days. One has to take Pancha-gavya on the first day and observe fast on the second day.
8. He shall follow the prescribed courses (of conduct) at the end of that expiation with mental purity. He should return to the hermitage and move about carefully as a mendicant. The wise people opine that words piercing the heart3 do not kill (?)
3. marmayukta is emended as narmayukta ‘jocular remark’ in A. The emendation deserves consideration.
9. However this should not be indulged in. For this results in cruelty.
The Shruti says that there is no evil action (lasting) after a full day (i.e. day and night) (?)
10. Violence is the greatest of evil deeds created by Devas and sages. What is called wealth is the veritable external life breath of a man. He who deprives any man of his wealth verily takes away his vital breath (life).
11-12. By committing theft, a wicked person shatters off his good conduct. He falls off from his vow. After repenting for this sin, he should perform Chandrayana vow for a year in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures, says the Shruti. At the end of a year his sin will practically diminish. If he repents again he should vigilantly observe his vow of medicancy.
13. Non-violence towards all living beings, mentally, verbally and physically (shall be observed). If a mendicant in jures animals or deer even unintentionally, he should perform the expiatory vow of Krucchra, Atikrucchra or Chandrayana.1
1. Krucchra or Prajapatya is a general term for several kinds of expiations. It has about 12 varieties (For details vide Kane, HD IV, pp. 120, 132 33).
Atikrucchra is for purification of all sins except Maha-patakas (great sins) (Gautama 26. 22). The procedure of observing it differs with Manu XI, 213 and Yajnavalkya III. 319, the former restricting the intake of one morsel of food while the latter allowing as much food as will fill his hand (vide Kane, HD IV, p. 130).
14. If due to the weakness of his organ, a recluse emits semen on seeing a woman, he should perform sixteen Pranayamas.
15. In the case of a Brahmana who emits semen during day the observance of fast for three nights and performance of a hundred Pranayamas are prescribed for its expiation.
16. If he has nocturnal emission of semen, he should take bath and perform twelve Dharanas. He becomes pure in soul and free from sin by performing the Pranayama.
17. Daily eating at the same house, use of honey, flesh and salt as well as feasting at Shraddha are forbidden for the ascetics.
18. For the violation of each of these expiatory rites consisting of Prajapatya or Krucchra is prescribed. Then alone he becomes free from the sin.
19. If there is any other violation, mental, physical or verbal, he should consult expert men (for deciding suitable expiation) and act according to their injunctions.
20. A Yogin of pure intellect, looking upon a clod of earth and lump of gold alike, behaving with purity of mind towards all livings, attains the region of saintly people which is un. shakable, eternal and imperishable. After reaching there, he is not born again (is liberated from Samsara).