The Description of the Nature of Tapta-krichchhra and Other Penances

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.11.23.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । अमृतापिधानमित्येवमुच्चार्य साधकोत्तमः । उच्छिष्टभाग्भ्यः पात्रान्नं दद्यादन्ते विचक्षणः ॥

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca amṛtāpidhānamityevamuccārya sādhakottamaḥ ucchiṣṭabhāgbhyaḥ pātrānnaṁ dadyādante vicakṣaṇaḥ

Shri Narayana said: Having uttered 'amṛtāpidhānam asi,' the excellent practitioner, discerning, should at the end give the food remaining in the vessel to those who partake of leftovers.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.11.23.2)

ये के चास्मत्कुले जाता दासदास्योऽनकाङ्क्षिणः । ते सर्वे तृप्तिमायान्तु मया दत्तेन भूतले ॥

ye ke cāsmatkule jātā dāsadāsyo'nakāṅkṣiṇaḥ te sarve tṛptimāyāntu mayā dattena bhūtale

'Whoever, male or female servants, were born in our lineage and are without desire — may all of them attain satisfaction through what I have offered upon this earth.'

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.11.23.3)

रौरवेऽपुण्यनिलये पद्मार्बुदनिवासिनाम् । अर्थिनामुदकं दत्तमक्षय्यमुपतिष्ठतु ॥

raurave'puṇyanilaye padmārbudanivāsinām arthināmudakaṁ dattamakṣayyamupatiṣṭhatu

'May this water, offered to those dwelling in Raurava, the abode devoid of merit, and to those numbering a padma and an arbuda who are in need, become an inexhaustible provision for them.'

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.11.23.4)

पवित्रग्रन्थिमुत्सृज्य मण्डले भुवि निक्षिपेत् । पात्रे तु निक्षिपेद्यस्तु स विप्रः पङ्क्तिदूषकः ॥

pavitragranthimutsṛjya maṇḍale bhuvi nikṣipet pātre tu nikṣipedyastu sa vipraḥ paṅktidūṣakaḥ

Having released the knot of the pavitra, one should cast it upon the marked ground; whichever brahmin casts it into the vessel instead becomes a defiler of the dining-row.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.11.23.5)

उच्छिष्टस्तेन संस्पृष्टः शुना शूद्रेण च द्विजः । उपोष्य रजनीमेकां पञ्चगव्येन शुध्यति ॥

ucchiṣṭastena saṁspṛṣṭaḥ śunā śūdreṇa ca dvijaḥ upoṣya rajanīmekāṁ pañcagavyena śudhyati

A twice-born who, while eating leftover food, is touched by a dog or by a shudra becomes purified by fasting for one night and taking the five products of the cow.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.11.23.6)

अनुच्छिष्टेन संस्पृष्टैः स्नानमेव विधीयते । एकाहुतिप्रदानेन कोटियज्ञफलं लभेत् ॥

anucchiṣṭena saṁspṛṣṭaiḥ snānameva vidhīyate ekāhutipradānena koṭiyajñaphalaṁ labhet

If touched by these while not eating leftovers, a mere bath is prescribed. By giving a single oblation, one obtains the fruit of ten million sacrifices.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.11.23.7)

पञ्चभिः पञ्चकोटीनां तदनन्तफलं स्मृतम् । प्राणाग्निहोत्रवेत्रे यो ह्यन्नदानं करोति च ॥

pañcabhiḥ pañcakoṭīnāṁ tadanantaphalaṁ smṛtam prāṇāgnihotravetre yo hyannadānaṁ karoti ca

With five oblations, the fruit is remembered as fifty million times that, indeed endless. Whoever gives food to one who knows the Prana-agnihotra —

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.11.23.8)

दातुश्चैव तु यत्पुण्यं भोक्तुश्चैव तु यत्फलम् । प्राप्नुतस्तौ तदेव द्वावुभौ तौ स्वर्गगामिनौ ॥

dātuścaiva tu yatpuṇyaṁ bhoktuścaiva tu yatphalam prāpnutastau tadeva dvāvubhau tau svargagāminau

both the giver and the eater obtain that very same merit and fruit; both of them together go to heaven.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.11.23.9)

सपवित्रकरो भुङ्क्ते यस्तु विप्रो विधानतः । ग्रासे ग्रासे फलं तस्य पञ्चगव्यसमं भवेत् ॥

sapavitrakaro bhuṅkte yastu vipro vidhānataḥ grāse grāse phalaṁ tasya pañcagavyasamaṁ bhavet

Whichever brahmin eats with the pavitra ring on his hand, according to rule — with every mouthful, his fruit becomes equal to the merit of the five products of the cow.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.11.23.10)

पूजाकालत्रये नित्यं जपस्तर्पणमेव च । होमो ब्राह्मणभुक्तिश्च पुरश्चरणमुच्यते ॥

pūjākālatraye nityaṁ japastarpaṇameva ca homo brāhmaṇabhuktiśca puraścaraṇamucyate

Constant worship at the three times, recitation, and tarpana; fire-offering, and the feeding of brahmins — this is called purashcharana.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.11.23.11)

अधःशयानो धर्मात्मा जितक्रोधो जितेन्द्रियः । लघुमिष्टहिताशी च विनीतः शान्तचेतसा ॥

adhaḥśayāno dharmātmā jitakrodho jitendriyaḥ laghumiṣṭahitāśī ca vinītaḥ śāntacetasā

Sleeping on the ground, righteous-souled, having conquered anger, master of the senses, eating light, pleasant, and wholesome food, humble, with a peaceful mind,

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.11.23.12)

नित्यं त्रिषवणस्नायी नित्यं स शुभभाषणः । स्त्रीशूद्रपतितत्व्रात्यनास्तिकोच्छिष्टभाषणम् ॥

nityaṁ triṣavaṇasnāyī nityaṁ sa śubhabhāṣaṇaḥ strīśūdrapatitatvrātyanāstikocchiṣṭabhāṣaṇam

constantly bathing at the three times of day, constantly speaking only what is auspicious — one should avoid speaking with women, shudras, fallen persons, vratyas, atheists, and those eating leftovers,

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.11.23.13)

चाण्डालभाषणं चैव न कुर्यान्मुनिसत्तम । नत्वा नैव च भाषेत जपहोमार्चनादिषु ॥

cāṇḍālabhāṣaṇaṁ caiva na kuryānmunisattama natvā naiva ca bhāṣeta japahomārcanādiṣu

and likewise, O best of sages, one should not speak with chandalas. Nor should one speak, having bowed, during recitation, fire-offering, worship, and the like.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.11.23.14)

मैथुनस्य तथालापं तद्गोष्ठीमपि वर्जयेत् । कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सर्वावस्थासु सर्वदा ॥

maithunasya tathālāpaṁ tadgoṣṭhīmapi varjayet karmaṇā manasā vācā sarvāvasthāsu sarvadā

One should avoid conversation about sexual union, and likewise gatherings concerning it — in act, in mind, and in speech, in all conditions, at all times.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.11.23.15)

सर्वत्र मैथुनत्यागो ब्रह्मचर्यं प्रचक्षते । राज्ञश्चैव गृहस्थस्य ब्रह्मचर्यमुदाहृतम् ॥

sarvatra maithunatyāgo brahmacaryaṁ pracakṣate rājñaścaiva gṛhasthasya brahmacaryamudāhṛtam

The complete renunciation of sexual union in every respect is called brahmacharya. For a king and for a householder, however, brahmacharya is defined differently —

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.11.23.16)

ऋतुस्तातेषु दारेषु सङ्गतिर्या विधानतः । संस्कृतायां सवर्णायामृतुं दृष्ट्वा प्रयत्नतः ॥

ṛtustāteṣu dāreṣu saṅgatiryā vidhānataḥ saṁskṛtāyāṁ savarṇāyāmṛtuṁ dṛṣṭvā prayatnataḥ

union with one's own wife during her fertile period, according to rule — with one who is properly consecrated and of the same caste, diligently observing the fertile period —

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.11.23.17)

रात्रौ तु गमनं कार्यं ब्रह्मचर्यं हरेन्न तत् । ऋणत्रयमसंशोध्य त्वनुत्पाद्य सुतानपि ॥

rātrau tu gamanaṁ kāryaṁ brahmacaryaṁ harenna tat ṛṇatrayamasaṁśodhya tvanutpādya sutānapi

union should take place at night; this does not violate brahmacharya. Without having discharged the three debts, and without having begotten sons,

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.11.23.18)

तथा यज्ञाननिष्ट्वा च मोक्षमिच्छन्व्रजत्यधः । अजागलस्य यज्जन्म तज्जन्म श्रुतिचोदितम् ॥

tathā yajñānaniṣṭvā ca mokṣamicchanvrajatyadhaḥ ajāgalasya yajjanma tajjanma śruticoditam

and likewise without having performed the sacrifices, one who desires liberation falls downward. Such a birth is declared by the Shruti to be like the wasted birth of the dewlap-goat.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.11.23.19)

अतः कार्यं तु विप्रेन्द्र ऋणत्रयविशोधनम् । ते देवानामृषीणां च पितॄणामृणिनस्तथा ॥

ataḥ kāryaṁ tu viprendra ṛṇatrayaviśodhanam te devānāmṛṣīṇāṁ ca pitṝṇāmṛṇinastathā

Therefore, O foremost of brahmins, the discharge of the three debts should be undertaken — for one is indebted to the gods, to the sages, and likewise to the ancestors.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.11.23.20)

ऋषिभ्यो ब्रह्मचर्येण पितृभ्यस्तु तिलोदकैः । मुच्येद्यज्ञेन देवेभ्यः स्वाश्रमं धर्ममाचरेत् ॥

ṛṣibhyo brahmacaryeṇa pitṛbhyastu tilodakaiḥ mucyedyajñena devebhyaḥ svāśramaṁ dharmamācaret

One is released from the debt to the sages through celibate studentship, from the debt to the ancestors through sesame-water offerings, and from the debt to the gods through sacrifice; one should perform the duties of one's own stage of life.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.11.23.21)

क्षीराहारी फलाशी वा शाकाशी वा हविष्यभुक् । भिक्षाशी वा जपेद्विद्वान्कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणादिकृत् ॥

kṣīrāhārī phalāśī vā śākāśī vā haviṣyabhuk bhikṣāśī vā japedvidvānkṛcchracāndrāyaṇādikṛt

Subsisting on milk, or on fruit, or on vegetables, or on consecrated oblation-food, or on alms — the wise one should recite the mantra, performing the kricchhra, chandrayana, and other penances.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.11.23.22)

लवणं क्षारमम्लं च गृञ्जनं कांस्यभोजनम् । ताम्बूलं च द्विभुक्तं च दुष्टवासः प्रमत्तनम् ॥

lavaṇaṁ kṣāramamlaṁ ca gṛñjanaṁ kāṁsyabhojanam tāmbūlaṁ ca dvibhuktaṁ ca duṣṭavāsaḥ pramattanam

Salt, alkaline substances, sour things, onions/garlic, eating from bronze vessels, betel, eating twice a day, impure dwelling, negligence,

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.11.23.23)

श्रुतिस्मृतिविरोधं च जपं रात्रौ विवर्जयेत् । वृथा न कालं गमयेद्द्यूतस्त्रीस्वापवादतः ॥

śrutismṛtivirodhaṁ ca japaṁ rātrau vivarjayet vṛthā na kālaṁ gamayeddyūtastrīsvāpavādataḥ

and contradiction of Shruti and Smriti, and recitation at night, should be avoided. One should not waste time uselessly through gambling, women, sleep, or slander;

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.11.23.24)

गमयेद्देवतापूजास्तोत्रागमविलोकनैः । भूशय्या ब्रह्मचारित्वं मौनचर्या तथैव च ॥

gamayeddevatāpūjāstotrāgamavilokanaiḥ bhūśayyā brahmacāritvaṁ maunacaryā tathaiva ca

rather, one should pass the time in the worship of deities, in hymns, and in the study of scriptures. Sleeping on the ground, celibacy, and the practice of silence likewise;

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.11.23.25)

नित्यं त्रिषवणस्नानं शूद्रकर्मविवर्जनम् । नित्यपूजा नित्यदानमानन्दस्तुतिकीर्तनम् ॥

nityaṁ triṣavaṇasnānaṁ śūdrakarmavivarjanam nityapūjā nityadānamānandastutikīrtanam

constant bathing at the three junctures; the avoidance of shudra-like occupations; constant worship, constant charity, joyful praise and glorification;

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.11.23.26)

नैमित्तिकार्चनं चैव विश्वासो गुरुदेवयोः । जपनिष्ठस्य धर्मा ये द्वादशैते सुसिद्धिदाः ॥

naimittikārcanaṁ caiva viśvāso gurudevayoḥ japaniṣṭhasya dharmā ye dvādaśaite susiddhidāḥ

occasional worship as well; and trust in one's guru and deity — these twelve are the duties of one devoted to recitation, and they bestow excellent accomplishment.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.11.23.27)

नित्यं सूर्यमुपस्थाय तस्य चाभिमुखो जपेत् । देवताप्रतिमादौ वा वह्नौ वाभ्यर्च्य तन्मुखः ॥

nityaṁ sūryamupasthāya tasya cābhimukho japet devatāpratimādau vā vahnau vābhyarcya tanmukhaḥ

Constantly, having venerated the sun, one should recite facing it; or, having worshipped an image of the deity or the like, or the fire, one should face that object,

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.11.23.28)

स्नानपूजाजपध्यानहोमतर्पणतत्परः । निष्कामो देवतायां च सर्वकर्मनिवेदकः ॥

snānapūjājapadhyānahomatarpaṇatatparaḥ niṣkāmo devatāyāṁ ca sarvakarmanivedakaḥ

devoted to bathing, worship, recitation, meditation, fire-offering, and tarpana; free of desire, devoted to the deity, and dedicating all his actions —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.11.23.29)

एवमादींश्च नियमान्पुरश्चरणकृच्चरेत् । तस्माद्द्विजः प्रसन्नात्मा जपहोमपरायणः ॥

evamādīṁśca niyamānpuraścaraṇakṛccaret tasmāddvijaḥ prasannātmā japahomaparāyaṇaḥ

one who performs purashcharana should observe these and other such rules. Therefore, a twice-born, cheerful of soul, devoted to recitation and fire-offering,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.11.23.30)

तपस्यध्ययने युक्तो भवेद्भूतानुकम्पकः । तपसा स्वर्गमाप्नोति तपसा विन्दते महत् ॥

tapasyadhyayane yukto bhavedbhūtānukampakaḥ tapasā svargamāpnoti tapasā vindate mahat

engaged in austerity and study, should be compassionate toward all beings. Through austerity one attains heaven; through austerity one gains greatness.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.11.23.31)

तपोयुक्तस्य सिध्यन्ति कर्माणि नियतात्मनः । विद्वेषणं संहरणं मारणं रोगनाशनम् ॥

tapoyuktasya sidhyanti karmāṇi niyatātmanaḥ vidveṣaṇaṁ saṁharaṇaṁ māraṇaṁ roganāśanam

For one engaged in austerity, self-controlled, all rites succeed — causing enmity, gathering, slaying, and destruction of disease,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.11.23.32)

येन येनाथ ऋषिणा यदर्थं देवताः स्तुताः । स स कामः समृद्।ह्ध्येत तेषां तेषां तथा तथा ॥

yena yenātha ṛṣiṇā yadarthaṁ devatāḥ stutāḥ sa sa kāmaḥ samṛd hdhyeta teṣāṁ teṣāṁ tathā tathā

whatever desire, for whatever purpose, was the reason the deities were praised by whichever sage — that very desire is fulfilled accordingly for those who follow that same rite.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.11.23.33)

तानि कर्माणि वक्ष्यामि विधानानि च कर्मणाम् । पुरश्चरणमादौ च कर्मणां सिद्धिकारकम् ॥

tāni karmāṇi vakṣyāmi vidhānāni ca karmaṇām puraścaraṇamādau ca karmaṇāṁ siddhikārakam

I shall declare those rites, and the procedures of the rites. Purashcharana comes first, and it is what makes the rites succeed.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.11.23.34)

स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनस्यादौ प्राजापत्यं चरेद्द्विजः । केशश्मश्रुलोमनखान् वापयित्वा ततः शुचिः ॥

svādhyāyābhyasanasyādau prājāpatyaṁ careddvijaḥ keśaśmaśrulomanakhān vāpayitvā tataḥ śuciḥ

At the beginning of the practice of Vedic study, the twice-born should perform the Prajapatya penance; having had his hair, beard, body-hair, and nails shaved, thereafter pure,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.11.23.35)

तिष्ठेदहनि रात्रौ तु शुचिरासीत वाग्यतः । सत्यवादी पवित्राणि जपेद्व्याहृतयस्तथा ॥

tiṣṭhedahani rātrau tu śucirāsīta vāgyataḥ satyavādī pavitrāṇi japedvyāhṛtayastathā

he should stand by day, and at night sit purely, restrained in speech; speaking truth, he should recite the purifying verses, and likewise the vyahritis,

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.11.23.36)

ज्येकाराद्यास्तु ता जप्त्वा सावित्रीं च तदित्यृचम् । आपो हि ष्ठेति सूक्तं च पवित्रं पापनाशनम् ॥

jyekārādyāstu tā japtvā sāvitrīṁ ca tadityṛcam āpo hi ṣṭheti sūktaṁ ca pavitraṁ pāpanāśanam

beginning with the syllable Om — having recited these, and the Savitri, the verse beginning 'tat...,' and the hymn 'āpo hi ṣṭhā...,' which are purifying and sin-destroying,

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.11.23.37)

पुनन्त्यः स्वस्तिमत्यश्च पावमान्यस्तथैव च । सर्वत्रैतत्प्रयोक्तव्यमादावन्ते च कर्मणाम् ॥

punantyaḥ svastimatyaśca pāvamānyastathaiva ca sarvatraitatprayoktavyamādāvante ca karmaṇām

and the 'punantih' verses, the 'svastimati' verses, and likewise the Pavamani verses — this should be employed everywhere, at the beginning and end of rites.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.11.23.38)

आसहस्रादाशताद्वाप्यादशादथवा जपेत् । अकारं व्याहृतीस्तिस्रः सावित्रीमथवायुतम् ॥

āsahasrādāśatādvāpyādaśādathavā japet akāraṁ vyāhṛtīstisraḥ sāvitrīmathavāyutam

One should recite up to a thousand times, or a hundred, or ten; the syllable Om, the three vyahritis, and the Savitri, or else ten thousand times.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.11.23.39)

तर्पयित्वाद्भिराचार्यानृषींश्छन्दांसि देवताः । अनार्येण न भाषेत शूद्रेणापि न गर्हितैः ॥

tarpayitvādbhirācāryānṛṣīṁśchandāṁsi devatāḥ anāryeṇa na bhāṣeta śūdreṇāpi na garhitaiḥ

Having offered libations of water to the teachers, sages, meters, and deities, one should not converse with the ignoble, nor with a shudra, nor with those reprehensible,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.11.23.40)

नापि चोदक्यया वध्वा पतितैर्नान्त्यजैर्नृभिः । न देवब्राह्मणद्विष्टैर्नाचार्यगुरुनिन्दकैः ॥

nāpi codakyayā vadhvā patitairnāntyajairnṛbhiḥ na devabrāhmaṇadviṣṭairnācāryagurunindakaiḥ

nor with a wife in her menses, nor with fallen persons, nor with outcaste men, nor with those hostile to gods and brahmins, nor with those who slander teachers and gurus,

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.11.23.41)

न मातृपितृविद्विष्टैर्नावमन्येत कञ्चन । कृच्छ्राणामेष सर्वेषां विधिरुक्तोऽनुपूर्वशः ॥

na mātṛpitṛvidviṣṭairnāvamanyeta kañcana kṛcchrāṇāmeṣa sarveṣāṁ vidhirukto'nupūrvaśaḥ

nor with those hostile to mother and father — one should not disrespect anyone. This has been the procedure declared, in due order, for all the kricchhra penances.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.11.23.42)

प्राजापत्यस्य कृच्छ्रस्य तथा सान्तपनस्य च । पराकस्य च कृच्छ्रस्य विधिश्चान्द्रायणस्य च ॥

prājāpatyasya kṛcchrasya tathā sāntapanasya ca parākasya ca kṛcchrasya vidhiścāndrāyaṇasya ca

I shall now declare the procedure for the Prajapatya kricchhra, and likewise for the Santapana, for the Paraka kricchhra, and for the Chandrayana.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.11.23.43)

पञ्चभिः पातकैः सर्वैर्दुष्कृतैश्च प्रमुच्यते । तप्तकृच्छ्रेण सर्वाणि पापानि दहति क्षणात् ॥

pañcabhiḥ pātakaiḥ sarvairduṣkṛtaiśca pramucyate taptakṛcchreṇa sarvāṇi pāpāni dahati kṣaṇāt

One is released from the five great sins and from all misdeeds; through the Tapta-kricchhra, one burns away all sins in an instant.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.11.23.44)

त्रिभिश्चान्द्रायणैः पूतो ब्रह्मलोकं समश्नुते । अष्टभिर्देवताः साक्षात्पश्येत वरदास्तदा ॥

tribhiścāndrāyaṇaiḥ pūto brahmalokaṁ samaśnute aṣṭabhirdevatāḥ sākṣātpaśyeta varadāstadā

Purified by three chandrayanas, one attains the world of Brahma; by eight, one then directly beholds the boon-granting deities.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.11.23.45)

छन्दांसि दशभिर्ज्ञात्वा सर्वान्कामान्समश्नुते । त्र्यहं प्रातस्त्र्यहं सायं त्र्यहमद्यादयाचितम् ॥

chandāṁsi daśabhirjñātvā sarvānkāmānsamaśnute tryahaṁ prātastryahaṁ sāyaṁ tryahamadyādayācitam

By ten, one knows the Vedic meters and obtains all desires. For three days one should eat only in the morning, for three days only in the evening, and for three days one should eat only unsolicited food,

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.11.23.46)

त्र्यहं परं च नाश्नीयात्प्राजापत्यं चरेद्द्विजः । गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधि सर्पिः कुशोदकम् ॥

tryahaṁ paraṁ ca nāśnīyātprājāpatyaṁ careddvijaḥ gomūtraṁ gomayaṁ kṣīraṁ dadhi sarpiḥ kuśodakam

and for a further three days one should eat nothing at all — thus the twice-born should perform the Prajapatya. Cow's urine, cow-dung, milk, curds, ghee, and kusha-water —

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.11.23.47)

एकरात्रोपवासश्च कृच्छ्रं सान्तपनं स्मृतम् । एकैकं ग्रासमश्नीयादहानि त्रीणि पूर्ववत् ॥

ekarātropavāsaśca kṛcchraṁ sāntapanaṁ smṛtam ekaikaṁ grāsamaśnīyādahāni trīṇi pūrvavat

consuming these together with a one-night fast is remembered as the Santapana kricchhra. One should eat a single morsel each day for three days, as before,

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.11.23.48)

त्र्यहं चोपवसेदित्थमतिकृच्छ्रं चरेद्द्विजः । एवमेव त्रिभिर्युक्तं महासान्तपनं स्मृतम् ॥

tryahaṁ copavaseditthamatikṛcchraṁ careddvijaḥ evameva tribhiryuktaṁ mahāsāntapanaṁ smṛtam

and then fast for three days — thus the twice-born should perform the Atikricchhra. In just this way, joined with the three, it is remembered as the Mahasantapana.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.11.23.49)

तप्तकृच्छ्रं चरन्विप्रो जलक्षीरघृतानिलान् । प्रतित्र्यहं पिबेदुष्णान्सकृत्स्नायी समाहितः ॥

taptakṛcchraṁ caranvipro jalakṣīraghṛtānilān pratitryahaṁ pibeduṣṇānsakṛtsnāyī samāhitaḥ

Performing the Tapta-kricchhra, the brahmin, bathing once a day, with a composed mind, should drink hot water, hot milk, and hot ghee, and inhale hot air, each for three days in turn,

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.11.23.50)

नियतस्तु पिबेदापः प्राजापत्यविधिः स्मृतः । यतात्मनोऽप्रमत्तस्य द्वादशाहमभोजनम् ॥

niyatastu pibedāpaḥ prājāpatyavidhiḥ smṛtaḥ yatātmano'pramattasya dvādaśāhamabhojanam

and, self-restrained, should drink water for the final three days — this is remembered as the rule of the Prajapatya. For one who is self-controlled and vigilant, twelve days of fasting —

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.11.23.51)

पराको नाम कृच्छ्रोऽयं सर्वपापप्रणोदनः । एकैकं तु ग्रसेत्पिण्डं कृष्णे शुक्ले च वर्धयेत् ॥

parāko nāma kṛcchro'yaṁ sarvapāpapraṇodanaḥ ekaikaṁ tu grasetpiṇḍaṁ kṛṣṇe śukle ca vardhayet

this penance is named Paraka, which drives away all sins. One should eat one morsel each day during the dark fortnight, and increase the number during the bright fortnight,

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.11.23.52)

अमावास्यां न भुञ्जीत एवं चान्द्रायणे विधिः । उपस्पृश्य त्रिषवणमेतच्चान्द्रायणं स्मृतम् ॥

amāvāsyāṁ na bhuñjīta evaṁ cāndrāyaṇe vidhiḥ upaspṛśya triṣavaṇametaccāndrāyaṇaṁ smṛtam

and eat nothing on the new-moon day — this is the rule in the Chandrayana. Touching water three times a day — this is remembered as the Chandrayana.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.11.23.53)

चतुरः प्रातरश्नीयाद्विप्रः पिण्डात्कृताह्निकः । चतुरोऽस्तमिते सूर्ये शिशुचान्द्रायणं स्मृतम् ॥

caturaḥ prātaraśnīyādvipraḥ piṇḍātkṛtāhnikaḥ caturo'stamite sūrye śiśucāndrāyaṇaṁ smṛtam

The brahmin, having performed his daily rites, should eat four morsels in the morning and four when the sun has set — this is remembered as the Shishu-chandrayana.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.11.23.54)

अष्टावष्टौ समश्नीयात्पिण्डान्मध्यन्दिने स्थिते । नियतात्मा हविष्यस्य यतिचान्द्रायणं व्रतम् ॥

aṣṭāvaṣṭau samaśnīyātpiṇḍānmadhyandine sthite niyatātmā haviṣyasya yaticāndrāyaṇaṁ vratam

He should eat eight morsels each when the sun is at midday, and eight at another time — self-restrained, of consecrated food; this is the vow of the Yati-chandrayana.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.11.23.55)

एतद्रुद्रास्तथादित्या वसवश्च चरन्ति हि । सर्वे कुशलिनो देवा मरुतश्च भुवा सह ॥

etadrudrāstathādityā vasavaśca caranti hi sarve kuśalino devā marutaśca bhuvā saha

This penance is indeed practiced by the Rudras, and likewise the Adityas, and the Vasus, and all the auspicious gods, and the Maruts, together with the Earth.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.11.23.56)

एकैकं सप्तरात्रेण पुनाति विधिवत्कृतम् । त्वगसृक्पिशितास्थीनि मेदोमज्जावसास्तथा ॥

ekaikaṁ saptarātreṇa punāti vidhivatkṛtam tvagasṛkpiśitāsthīni medomajjāvasāstathā

Each one, performed for seven nights according to rule, purifies. The skin, blood, flesh, bones, fat, marrow, and semen —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.11.23.57)

एकैकं सप्तरात्रेण शुध्यत्येव न संशयः । एभिर्व्रतैर्विपूतात्मा कर्म कुर्वीत नित्यशः ॥

ekaikaṁ saptarātreṇa śudhyatyeva na saṁśayaḥ ebhirvratairvipūtātmā karma kurvīta nityaśaḥ

each of these is purified in seven nights, without doubt. Having thereby purified the soul through these vows, one should constantly perform further rites.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.11.23.58)

एवं शुद्धस्य कर्माणि सिध्यन्त्येव न संशयः । शुद्धात्मा कर्म कुर्वीत सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः ॥

evaṁ śuddhasya karmāṇi sidhyantyeva na saṁśayaḥ śuddhātmā karma kurvīta satyavādī jitendriyaḥ

Thus, for the one who is purified, the rites certainly succeed, without doubt. One should perform the rites with a purified soul, speaking truth, master of the senses,

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.11.23.59)

इष्टान्कामांस्ततः सर्वान्सम्प्राप्नोति न संशयः । त्रिरात्रमेवोपवसेद्रहितः सर्वकर्मणा ॥

iṣṭānkāmāṁstataḥ sarvānsamprāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ trirātramevopavasedrahitaḥ sarvakarmaṇā

and one then obtains all one's desired wishes, without doubt. One should fast for three nights, free from all other activity,

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.11.23.60)

त्रीणि नक्तानि वा कुर्यात्ततः कर्म समारभेत् । एवं विधानं कथितं पुरश्चर्याफलप्रदम् ॥

trīṇi naktāni vā kuryāttataḥ karma samārabhet evaṁ vidhānaṁ kathitaṁ puraścaryāphalapradam

or perform three nakta-fasts; then one should begin the main rite. Thus has this procedure, which bestows the fruit of purashcharana, been declared.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.11.23.61)

गायत्र्याश्च पुरश्चर्यां सर्वकामप्रदायिनी । कथिता तव देवर्षे महापापविनाशिनी ॥

gāyatryāśca puraścaryāṁ sarvakāmapradāyinī kathitā tava devarṣe mahāpāpavināśinī

O divine sage, the purashcharana of the Gayatri, which grants all desires and destroys great sins, has thus been declared to you.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.11.23.62)

आदौ कुर्याद्व्रतं मन्त्री देहशोधनकारकम् । पुरश्चर्यां ततः कुर्यात्समस्तफलभाग्भवेत् ॥

ādau kuryādvrataṁ mantrī dehaśodhanakārakam puraścaryāṁ tataḥ kuryātsamastaphalabhāgbhavet

First, the mantra-practitioner should perform the vow that purifies the body; he should then perform the purashcharana, and he becomes a sharer in the complete fruit.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.11.23.63)

इति ते कथितं गुह्यं पुरश्चर्याविधानकम् । एतत्परस्मै नो वाच्यं श्रुतिसारं यतः स्मृतम् ॥

iti te kathitaṁ guhyaṁ puraścaryāvidhānakam etatparasmai no vācyaṁ śrutisāraṁ yataḥ smṛtam

Thus has this secret procedure of the purashcharana been declared to you. This should not be spoken to others, for it is remembered as the very essence of the Shruti.