Prayashcitta, Prāyaścitta: 33 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
In Jainism
1. Jain philosophy
2. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
3. Nepali
See also
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Introduction:

Prayashcitta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Prāyaścitta can be transliterated into English as Prayascitta or Prayashcitta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Prayashchitta.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त).—In ancient Bhārata sacred injunctions existed about religious rites to be performed for the atonement of sins committed. The following are a few of them. (See full article at Story of Prāyaścitta from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “atonement (for sin)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.20. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] ashamed that I was, I repeatedly bowed to Him [Śiva] and after offering prayers spoke to Him again: ‘I may be excused. I may be excused’. ‘O lord, tell me the mode of atonement (prāyaścitta) for my sin. Even killing is justifiable. May my sin be removed thereby’”

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त).—Expiation: of no use to one not devoted to Nārāyaṇa.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 1. 11, 18.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study (dharma)

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त, “expiation”) represents an aspect of Dharmaśāstra, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—The Upanisadic theory is that one must bear the consequences of all actions, good or evil. But sometimes an evil action is done without any previous thought; as for example when a man’s gun goes off by accident and somebody is killed or seriously injured. This led to a discussion in dharmaśāstras; as a result of which the doctrine of prāyaścitta (expiation) for sins was developed . In the Gautama-dharmasūtra (19.3-10) there is a discussion on this, which is probably the earliest clear exposition on expiations for sins.

Chapter-fifty two of Saurapurāṇa describes the prāyaścittas for various offences. [...] Rites concering the prāyaścittas proclaim the fact that all sins are pardonable if repented. The Saurapurāṇa states categorically that the cause of all prāyaścittas is repentance:—“Repentance is a virtue for it leads to the higher virtue of not committing a wrong again. The performance of expiatory rites relieves a person of the depressing thought that he is dammed for ever and makes him feel at ease to turn over a new life as if””.

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Nirukta (Sanskrit etymology)

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study (nirukta)

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “expiation” (viz., of sins or pātaka).—Most digest and commentaries derive the word prāyaścitta relying on a verse attributed to Aṅgiras , from prāya meaning “tapas” and citta meaning “resolve” or “firm belief”. The idea being that prāyaścittas are so called because of their association with or emergence from a resolve to undergo tapas or because of the firm belief that it will be a means of the removal of sin.

Hemādri refers to an unnamed Bhāṣyakāra’s explanation viz. prāya means “destruction” and citta means “joining together” and hence prāyaścitta means the “making good what is lost” and that the word denotes a naimittika action on sin.

context information

Nirukta (निरुक्त) or “etymology” refers to the linguistic analysis of the Sanskrit language. This branch studies the interpretation of common and ancient words and explains them in their proper context. Nirukta is one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to:—Atonement. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to the “atonement for sin”, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “Just as the atonement (prāyaścitta) (for sin) is said (to take place) in the Kula tradition (by means of) Trikhaṇḍā, in the same way, those who know the truth should do (the same) by means of (Kubjikā’s Vidyā consisting of) thirty-two syllables”.

Source: Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Tantra Literature of Kerala- Special Reference to Mātṛsadbhāva

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the Mātṛsadbhāva, one of the earliest Śākta Tantras from Kerala.—Mātṛsadbhāva is a Kerala Tantric ritual manual dealing with the worship of Goddess Bhadrakālī (also known as Rurujit) along with sapta-mātṛs or Seven mothers. The text is believed to be the first Śākta worship text from Kerala. The text is a summary of Southern Brahmayāmala texts and it systematizes and organizes the Yāmala cult of mothers in twenty-eight chapters. The text includes the topics such as [e.g., prāyaścitta, ...] The Mātṛsadbhāva was written based on the South Indian version of Brahmayālatantra. [...]

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Google books: Genesis and Development of Tantra

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “ expiation of ritual defects” and represents one of the various objectives expected of the Kāmyeṣṭis (“Vedic rituals following the basic pattern of the new and full-moon sacrifice”).—There is a certain group of Vedic rituals which are referred to as “kāmya”. Those which are performed following the basic pattern of the new and full-moon sacrifice are called kāmyeṣṭi. [...] According to the analysis of W. Caland, the objectives expected of the kāmyeṣṭis are: [e.g., expiation of ritual defects (prāyaścitta)] [...], etc. (Cf. Caland 1908: VI–VII). Although Vedic rituals were a reliable way for the people of ancient India to fulfill their objectives, Tantric rites too claim to bring about the attainment of wishes.

Source: Open Editions: The architectural teachings of Ajitagama and Rauravagama

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) or Prāyaścittavidhi [=prāyaścittavidhiḥ] is the name of chapter 73 of the Kriyāpāda of the Ajitāgama, an important Śaiva Siddhānta treatises dealing with detailed descriptions of the architecture of Śiva temples.

Source: eScholarship: The descent of scripture: a history of the Kamikagama

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “expiation rites” (for all manner of transgressions), according to the Kāmikāgama: an ancient Śaiva Āgama scripture in 12,000 Sanskrit verses dating to at least the 5th century and represented as an encyclopedic account of ritual instructions (kriyāpāda).—In modern print editions, the Kāmika-āgama is structured in two major parts. The Uttarabhāga consists of 98 chapters (paṭalas) [...] The content of Chapters 30 to 34 is somewhat more heterogeneous. In Chapter 30, the longest chapter of the Uttarabhāga, we find a detailed treatment of expiation rites (prāyaścitta) for all manner of transgressions. Chapter 31 describes pacificatory rites to avert evil effects of supernatural or extraordinary occurences.

Source: Manasa Taramgini: Skanda Sadbhava: A distinctive Kaumara Tantra?

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to one of the eighteen chapters of the Skandasadbhāvasaṃraha: an abbreviation of the larger Skandasadbhāva in 12000 verses having its narrative framework set in Kailāsa where Nandin and Māheśvara engage in a dialog regarding the present Śāstra.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “expiatory rites”), according to the thirtieth chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā, an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the annual festivals of temples and regular temple worship routines.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]:

Expiatory ceremonies may be classified into three groups:

those which gain their efficacy through pure and truthful confession of words [vākśuddhi],
those in which there is inner repentance [mānasaśuddhi], and
those in which good deeds are undertaken [kāyikaśuddhi] (1-3).

In all cases, the performer must be ritually pure (3-7), as well as devoted and enthusiastic (9). The remainder of the chapter deals with the kinds of expiation that require overt ritual, i.e., the kāyika-type. [...]

2) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to the “penances for the deeds of omission and comission (done by a Vaiṣṇava)”, as discussed in the twenty-fifth chapter of the Jayākhyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra Āgama text composed of 4500 verses in 33 chapters dealing with topics such as mantra (formulas), japa (repetitions), dhyāna (meditations), mudrā (gesticulations), nyāsa (concentrations) etc.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]:—[...] Bhagavān declares that there are indeed, for a variety of reasons, many sins but that these may be expiated by japa, dāna-gifts, havana-sacrifices, or tapas-exercises (1-4a). The bulk of the chapter is given over to the various instances that require and permit prāyaścitta-penitential performances: the sin is given along with the appropriate mantra-formulas to repeat, the gift-offerings to make, etc. (4b-131). [...]

3) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “penitential undertakings”, as discussed in the twenty-fifth chapter of the Nāradīyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra document comprising over 3000 verses in 30 chapters presenting in a narrative framework the teachings of Nārada to Gautama, dealing primarily with modes of worship and festivals.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]: Gautama asks to know the details of prāyaścitta-penances for (mistakes) in pūjā and all (prohibited) activities (1). [...] Following this is a section of prāyaścitta-requirements for utsava-oriented errors of all kinds, śānti-homa and/or snapana-rites assuming a central place in the discharge of these ritual requirements (146-200). [...] Then follows prāyaścitta-rules for mistakes encountered in any phase of pratiṣṭhā-preparations and performances (217-226a). [...]

4) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “penitential rites”, as discussed in chapter 19 (Kriyākāṇḍa) of the Pārameśvarasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhāna]: Sanaka asks what is to be done when there are mistakes in the conduct of worship, etc. (1). Śāṇḍilya thereupon enumerates various acts committed or omitted by a Sādhaka or others, along with certain other events of a defiling kind or that reflect carelessness-all of which constitute reasons for undertaking penitential action of one type or another (2-521). The rites of prāyaścitta should adhere to the same school as that from which the original pratiṣṭhā-rites were patterned, even though the daily pūjā-rites may now follow from another source (573-576). [...]

5) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “expiatory rites”, as discussed in chapter 26 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā:.—Description of chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhāna]: When a temple falls into disrepair, when idols become damaged, when a holy place becomes defiled, when lapses occur in daily worship, etc. in all such cases penances must be attended to in order to rectify the damages done. [...]

6) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “expiations”, as discussed in chapter 32 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā.—Description of chapter [prāyaścitta]: Expiations must be undertaken at a number of different times-when there is a mistake in routine worship, a mistake in occasional worship, or a mistake in optional worship. For example, a mistake may occur in the pūjā, or at (some point during) a festival, or in the bathing-rites of an icon, or during the fire- rites, etc. (1-7). Usually prokṣaṇa is sufficient to be done, followed by reconsecration of the idol (8-9). But when certain calamities befall, śānti is to be done, followed by a festival celebration which includes flag-hoisting ceremonies and so forth. [...]

7) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “penitential undertakings”, as discussed in chapter 27 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]: Viśvāmitra speaks here of the prayaścitta-atonement rites for all (other?) lapses and mistakes, etc., in worship-by population, damage, natural calamities (1-17). Also these rites rectify the mistakes in installation-procedures, carelessness in making correct preparations or constructions, etc. (18-29). [...]

8) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “penitential undertakings”, as discussed in chapter 39 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]: Viṣvaksena speaks here of penances that may be undertaken to atone for lapses in the on-going worship of the Lord-whether the interruption be for only one service, for one afternoon, for one day, for one month, or some other length of time. [...]

9) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “penitential undertakings”, as discussed in chapter 50 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]: [...] The Lord then begins by listing the various times, places and conditions wherein sins may be committed which may be expiated—from plowing, construction, up through pratiṣṭhā—suggesting prāyaścitta measures appropriate (5-87). [...]

10) Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “penance”, as discussed in chapter 8 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [prāyaścitta-vidhi]: Sanatkumāra says he will here tell how Samayin-initiates are to perform prāyaścitta-penances properly. He commences by saying that an initiate is to worship God six times daily and there are different titles given to initiate according to the frequency of their daily routines (1-26).

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) is a Sanskrit word referring to “atonement for sinful acts”.

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) or Prāyaścitti denotes a ‘penance’ or ‘expiation’, both words occurring frequently in the later Saṃhitās and the Brāhmaṇas. The penances are prescribed for every conceivable sort of ritual, social or moral; a complete list of them is included in the Sāmavidhāna-brāhmaṇa.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) is the Sanskrit word which means “atonement, penance, expiation”. It refers to one of the corrective measures in dharmaśāstra as an alternative to incarceration or other forms of daṇḍa (punishment) when someone is convicted of certain categories of crimes. The word is also used in Hindu texts to refer to actions to expiate one’s errors or sins, such as adultery by a married person.

In Jainism

Jain philosophy

Source: archive.org: Anekanta Jaya Pataka of Haribhadra Suri

Prayaścitta (प्रयश्चित्त) refers to the “ expiation of sin”, as mentioned in the Anekāntajayapatākā-prakaraṇa, a Śvetāmbara Jain philosophical work written by Haribhadra Sūri.—[Cf. Vol. II, P. 225, l. 6]

context information

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Prayaścitta (प्रयश्चित्त) refers to “confession and penance” and represents a characteristic of six-fold inner penance: one of the two kinds of tapas, according to chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism. Accordingly, in the sermon of Sūri Dharmaghoṣa:—“[...] that is called penance (tapas) that burns away karma. Outer penance is fasting, etc., and inner is confession and penance, etc. [...] Confession and penance (prayaścitta), service to others (vaiyāvṛtta), study of sacred texts (svādhyāya), reverence (vinaya), indifference to the body (vyutsarga), good meditation (śubhadhyāna) are the sixfold inner penance”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 6: Influx of karmas

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त).—The word prāya means ‘flaw /error/ transmigression’ and citta means ‘purification’. Therefore the word repentance (prāyascitta) means purification from the flaws / transmigressions.

How many types of expiation (prāyaścitta) are there? Expiation is of nine types namely;

criticise (ālocanā),
repentance (pratikramaṇa),
twofold (tadubhaya),
discrimination (viveka),
giving up attachment to the body (vyutsarga),
penance (tapas),
suspension (cheda),
expulsion (parihāra),
re-initiation (upasthāpanā).

Source: OpenEdition books: Vividhatīrthakalpaḥ

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “expiation”, and represents a Jaina technical term mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त) refers to “atonement”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “In that regard, external asceticism is declared to be of six kinds beginning with fasting while internal [asceticism] is also of [six] kinds on account of the divisions beginning with atonement (prāyaścitta). Hardship of the limbs of the body is excellent in respect of the divisions beginning with fasting. Internal [asceticism] in the form of meditation is excellent in respect of the divisions beginning with atonement”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त).—f.

1) Atonement, expiation, indemnification, a religious act to atone for sin; न संसर्गं व्रजेत् सद्भिः प्रायश्चित्तेऽकृते द्विजः (na saṃsargaṃ vrajet sadbhiḥ prāyaścitte'kṛte dvijaḥ) Manusmṛti 11.47; मातुः पापस्य भरतः प्रायश्चित्तमिवाकरोत् (mātuḥ pāpasya bharataḥ prāyaścittamivākarot) R.12.19. (prāyo nāma tapaḥ proktaṃ cittaṃ niścaya ucyate | taponiścayasaṃyogāt prāyaścittamitīryate || Hemādri).

2) Satisfaction, amends (in general).

Derivable forms: prāyaścittam (प्रायश्चित्तम्).

[Sanskrit to German]

Prayashcitta in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Prāyaścitta (ಪ್ರಾಯಶ್ಚಿತ್ತ):—[noun] a making amends or reparation (for a sin, wrongdoing etc.); atonement.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Prāyaścitta (प्रायश्चित्त):—n. 1. expiation; remorse; 2. penance; atonement; penitence;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 91 books and stories containing Prayashcitta, Prāya-ścitta, Praya-scitta, Praya-shcitta, Prāyaś-citta, Prāyaścitta, Prayascitta, Prayascittas, Prayash-citta; (plurals include: Prayashcittas, ścittas, scittas, shcittas, cittas, Prāyaścittas, Prayascittas, Prayascittases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

4. The concept of Prayashcitta < [Chapter 7 - Drinks under Prayashcittas and ordeals]

1. Introduction to the concept of Sin and Expiation < [Chapter 7 - Drinks under Prayashcittas and ordeals]

21. The drink associated with various Kurcas < [Chapter 7 - Drinks under Prayashcittas and ordeals]

+ 8 more chapters / show preview

1. Concept of Expiation and the Term Prāyaścitta < [Chapter 1 - Expiatory Rites: Concept and Evolution]

1. Expiatory Rites in Śaiva Texts (Introduction) < [Chapter 2 - Expiatory Rites in Āgamic Literature]

8 (b). Temple Records on Expiatory Rites < [Chapter 4 - Socio-Cultural aspects of Expiatory Rites]

+ 35 more chapters / show preview

Page 13 < [Volume 15 (1911)]

Page 267 < [Volume 5 (1879)]

Page 266 < [Volume 5 (1879)]

+ 82 more chapters / show preview