CHAPTER XXV 
1. I will completely explain the purification of those whose guilt has not
been made public, both from great crimes and for minor offences.
2. A penance prescribed in (the section on) secret (penances) is for an
Agnihotrin, an aged and a learned man, who have subdued their senses; but other
men (must perform the expiations) described above.
3. Those constantly engaged in suppressing their breath, reciting
purificatory texts, giving gifts, making burnt-oblations, and muttering (sacred
texts) will, undoubtedly, be freed from (the guilt of) crimes causing loss of
caste.
4. Seated with Kusa grass in his hands, let him repeatedly suppress
his breath, and again and again recite purificatory texts, the Vyâhritis,
the syllable Om, and the daily portion of the Veda 4
5. Always intent on the practice of Yoga, let him again and again suppress
his breath. Up to the ends of his hair and up to the ends of his nails let him
perform highest austerity. 5
6. Through the obstruction (of the expiration) air is generated, through air
fire is produced, then through heat water is formed; hence he is internally
purified by (these) three.
7. Neither through severe austerities, nor through the daily recitation of
the Veda, nor through offering sacrifices can the twice-born reach that
condition which they attain by the practice of Yoga.
8. Through the practice of Yoga (true) knowledge is obtained, Yoga is the sum
of the sacred law, the practice of Yoga is the highest and eternal austerity;
therefore let him always be absorbed in the practice of Yoga.
9. For him who is constantly engaged in (reciting the syllable) Om, the seven
Vyâhritis, and the three-footed Gâyatrî no danger exists anywhere. 9
10. The Vedas likewise begin with the syllable Om, and they end with the
syllable Om, the syllable Om is the sum of all speech; therefore let him repeat
it constantly. 10
11. The most excellent (portion of the) Veda, which consists of one syllable,
is declared to be the best purificatory text.
12. If the guilt of all sins did fall on one man, to repeat the Gâyatrî ten
thousand times (would be) an efficient means of purification.
13. If, suppressing his breath, he thrice recites the Gâyatrî together with
the Vyâhritis together with the syllable Om and with the (text called) Siras,
that is called one suppression of breath. 13
CHAPTER XXVI
1. If, untired, he performs three suppressions of his breath according to the
rule, the sins which he committed during a day and a night are instantly
destroyed. 1
2. Seated during the evening prayer, he removes by (three) suppressions of
his breath all guilt which 2
he incurred during the day by deeds, thoughts, or speeches.
3. But standing during the morning prayer, he removes by (three) suppressions
of his breath all guilt which he incurred during the night by deeds, thoughts,
or speeches.
4. But sixteen suppressions of breath, accompanied by (the recitation of) the
Vyâhritis and the syllable Om, repeated daily, purify after a month even
the slayer of a learned Brâhmana. 4
5. Even a drinker of spirituous liquor becomes pure, if he mutters the (hymn
seen) by Kutsa, 'Apa nah sosukad agham,' and (the hymn seen) by
Vasishtha (which begins with the word) 'Prati,' the Mâhitra (hymn), and
the Suddhavatîs. 5
6. Even he who has stolen gold becomes instantly free from guilt, if he once
mutters (the hymn beginning with the words) 'Asya vâmasya' and the Sivasamkalpa. 6
7. The violator of a Guru's bed is freed (from sin) if he repeatedly recites
the (hymn beginning) 'Havish pântam agaram' and that (beginning) 'Na tam amhah' and mutters the hymn addressed to
Purusha. 7
8. Or plunging into water he may thrice mutter the Aghamarshana. Manu
has declared that the (effect is the) same as if he had gone to bathe at a
horse-sacrifice. 8
9. An offering consisting of muttered prayers is ten times more efficacious
than a sacrifice at which animals are killed; a (prayer) which is inaudible (to
others) surpasses it a hundred times, and the mental (recitation of sacred
texts) one thousand times. 9
10. The four Pâkayagñas and those sacrifices which are enjoined by
the rules of the Veda are all together not equal in value to the sixteenth part
of a sacrifice consisting of muttered prayers. 10
11. But, undoubtedly, a Brâhmana reaches the highest goal by
muttering prayers only; whether he perform other (rites) or neglect them, he is
called a Brâhmana who befriends all creatures (maitra). 11
12. The sins of those who are intent on muttering prayers, of those who offer
burnt-oblations, of those who are given to meditation, of those who reside in
sacred places, and of those who have bathed after performing the vows called
Siras,
do not remain. 12
13. As a fire, fanned by wind, burns brighter, and (as its flame grows)
through offerings (of butter), even so a Brâhmana who is daily engaged
in muttering sacred texts shines with a brilliant lustre.
14. The destruction of those who fulfil the duty of daily study, who
constantly restrain themselves, who mutter prayers and offer sacrifices has
never been known (to happen). 14
15. Let him who is desirous of purification repeat, though he be charged with
all sins, the divine (Gâyatrî), at the most one thousand times, or one hundred
times as a medium (penance), or at least ten times (for trivial faults).
16. A Kshatriya shall pass through misfortunes which have befallen him by the
strength of his arms, a Vaisya and Sûdra by their wealth, the
highest among twice-born men by muttered prayers and burnt-oblations.
17. As horses (are useless) without a chariot, as chariots (are useless)
without horses, even so austerity (is useless) to him who is destitute of sacred
learning, and sacred learning to him who practises no austerities.
18. As food mixed with honey, or honey mixed with food, even so are
austerities and learning, joined together, a powerful medicine.
19. No guilt taints a Brâhmana who possesses learning, practises
austerities, and daily mutters sacred texts, though he may constantly commit
sinful acts.
CHAPTER XXVII
1. If a hundred improper acts, and even more, have been committed, and the
(knowledge of the) 1
Veda is retained,
the fire of the Veda destroys all (the guilt) of that man just as a (common)
fire consumes fuel.
2. As a fire that burns strongly consumes even green trees, even so the fire
of the Veda destroys one's guilt caused by (evil) deeds.
3. A Brâhmana who remembers the Rig-veda is not tainted by any guilt,
though he has destroyed these (three) worlds and has eaten the food of all,
(even of the most sinful) men. 3
4. If (a Brâhmana) relies on the power of the Veda, he cannot find
pleasure in sinful acts. Guilt (incurred) through ignorance and negligence is
destroyed, not (that of) other (intentional offences).
5. If a hermit subsisting on roots and fruit practises austerities in a
forest, and (a householder) recites a single Rik, the merit of the acts
of the one and of the other is equal.
6. Let him strengthen the Veda by (studying) the Itihâsas and Purânas.
For the Veda fears a man of little learning, (thinking) 'He will destroy me.'
7. The daily recitation of the Veda and the performance, according to one's
ability, of the series of Mahâyagñas quickly destroy guilt, even that
of mortal sins.
8. Let him daily perform, without tiring, his particular rites which the Veda
enjoins. For if he does that according to his ability, he will reach the most
blessed state. 8
9. Through sacrificing for wicked people, through teaching them, through
intermarrying with them, and through receiving gifts from them, (learned) Brâhmanas
do not contract guilt, for (a learned Brâhmana) resembles a fire and the
sun.
10. I will now declare the purification prescribed for (eating) food,
regarding which doubts have arisen, whether it may be called fit to be eaten or
not. Listen to my words!
11. Let a Brâhmana drink during three days the astringent decoction
of the Brahmasuvarkalâ plant, unmixed with salt or pungent condiments,
and (a decoction of) the Saṅkhapushpî plant, together with milk.
12. Let him drink water, after boiling in it Palâsa and Bilva leaves,
Kusa grass, and (leaves of) lotuses and Udumbara trees; after three days
and no more he becomes pure. 12
13. (Subsisting) during one day on each (of the following substances), cow's
urine, cowdung, milk, sour milk, butter, and water in which Kusa grass
has been boiled, and fasting on the seventh day purify even (him who fears that
he has partaken of the food of) a Svapâka. 13
14. He who lives during five days on cow's urine, cowdung, milk, sour milk,
and clarified butter, is purified by means of (that) Pañkagavya, (the
five products of the cow.)
15. He who, in accordance with the rule, uses barley (for his food), becomes
pure even by ocular proof. (For) if he is pure, those (barley grains) will be
white, if he is impure they will be discoloured. 15
16. (If he makes) three morning meals of food 16
fit for a sacrifice and three evening meals in like manner, and if food given
without asking (is his subsistence) in the same manner, (he will thus perform)
three fasts.
17. Now if he is in haste to make (himself pure), (let him) subsist on air
during a day, and pass the night standing in water; (that penance) is equal to a
Prâgâpatya (Krikkhra).
18. But if at sunrise he mutters the Gâyatrî eight thousand times, he will
be freed from all mortal sins, provided he be not the slayer of a Brâhmana. 18
19. He, forsooth, who has stolen (the gold of a Brâhmana), has drunk
spirituous liquor, has slain a learned Brâhmana, or has violated his
Guru's bed, will become free from all (these) mortal sins if he studies the
Institutes of the sacred law.
20. For unlawful acts, for unlawful sacrifices, and for great sins (let him
perform) a Krikkhra and a Kândrâyana, which destroy all
guilt.
21. Let him add daily one mouthful (to his food) during the bright (half of
the month), let him diminish it (daily by one mouthful) during the dark (half),
and let him fast on the new-moon day; that is the rule for the Kândrâyana
(or lunar penance). 21
CHAPTER XXVIII
1. A woman is not defiled by a lover, nor a Brâhmana by Vedic rites,
nor water by urine and ordure, nor fire by consuming (impure substances). 1
2-3. A wife, (though) tainted by sin, whether she be quarrelsome, or have
left the house, or have suffered criminal force, or have fallen into the hands
of thieves, must not be abandoned; to forsake her is not prescribed (by the
sacred law). Let him wait for the time of her courses; by her temporary
uncleanness she becomes pure. 2
4. Women (possess) an unequalled means of purification; they never become
(entirely) foul. For month by month their temporary uncleanness removes their
sins. 4
5. Women belong first to three gods, Soma (the moon), the Gandharva, and
Fire, and come afterwards into the possession of men; according to the law they
cannot be contaminated. 5
6. Soma gave them cleanliness, the Gandharva their melodious voice, and Fire
purity of all (limbs); therefore women are free from stains. 6
7. Those versed in the sacred law state that there are three acts (only)
which make women outcasts, (viz.) the murder of the husband, slaying a learned
Brâhmana, and the destruction of the fruit of their womb. 7
8. A calf is pure when the milk flows, a bird when it causes fruit to fall,
women during dalliance, and a dog when he catches a deer. 8
9. Pure is the mouth of a goat and of a horse, pure is the back of a cow,
pure are the feet of a Brâhmana, but women are pure in all (limbs) 9
10. I will now declare the purificatory texts (which are found) in each Veda;
by muttering them or reciting them at a burnt-oblation (men) are doubtlessly
cleansed (from sin). 10
11. (They are) the Aghamarshana, the Devakrita, the Suddhavatîs,
the Taratsamas, the Kûshmândas, the Pâvamânîs, and the Durgâsâvitri;
12. The Atîshaṅgas, the Padastobhas, and the Sâmans (called)
Vyâhriti,
the Bhârunda Sâmans, the Gâyatra (Sâman), and the Raivata; 12
13. The Purushavrata and the Bhâsa, and likewise the Devavrata (Sâmans),
the Abliṅga, the Bârhaspatya, the hymn addressed to Vâk, likewise
the Rikas (called) Madhu; 13
14. The Satarudriya, the Atharvasiras, the Trisuparna,
the Mahâvrata, the Gosûkta, and the Asvasûkta, and the two Sâmans
(called) Suddhâsuddhîya. 14
15. The three (Sâmans called) Âgyadohas, the Rathantara, the
Agnervrata, the Vâmadevya, and the Brihat, being muttered, purify (all)
living beings. (He who sings them) may obtain the recollection of former
existences, if he desires it.
16. Gold is the firstborn of Fire, through Vishnu exists the earth,
and the cows are children of them Sun; he who
bestows as gifts gold, a cow, and land will obtain rewards without end for them.
17. A cow, a horse, gold, (and) land, bestowed on an unlearned Brâhmana
who neglects his sacred duties, prevent the giver (from attaining heaven). 17
18-19. (If he presents), on the full moon of the month of Vaisâkha,
(to) seven or five Brâhmanas, black or white sesamum grains (mixed) with
honey, (saying), 'May the king of justice (Yama) rejoice!' or (expressing) some
other (wish) which he may have in his mind, the guilt which he has incurred
during his (whole) life will instantly vanish.
20. But hear (now) the reward of the merit acquired by that man who gives the
skin of a black antelope, to which the hoofs are (still) attached and the navel
of which is adorned with gold, covering it with sesamum grains. 20
21. 'Without doubt he has bestowed (through that gift) the four-faced earth,
together with its caves filled with gold, and together with its mountains,
groves, and forests.' 21
22. He who, placing on the skin of a black antelope, sesamum, gold, honey,
and butter, gives it to a Brâhmana, overcomes all sin.'
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