3.2. Expiatory Rites in Kalaśacandrikā

Kalaśacandrikā^[1] is an unpublished Kerala Tantric ritual manual. It is observed that the author of this text is one of the Nārāyaṇa, a native of Tiruvalla.^[2] From the evocative usage of language and Anuṣṭubh metre, besides the illuminative Śaiva rituals, S.A.S. Sarma inferred that this text may be written preceding the Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati^[3] The causes of impurity described in Kalaśacandrikā are also the same as in earlier Tantric manuals.^[4] Kalaśacandrikā describes Kalaśa^[5] and fire related expiations in detail. According to this, in an exit of fire, the impurity affected with fire, impurity of Homa substances, destruction of Homa substances, entering of outcastes, Caṇḍāla and menstruated woman, etc. and with the presence of blood and other impure substances seriously affect the fire related rituals.^[6] Mostly it prescribes the repetition of each fire ritual as expiation. Moreover it gives very much importance to Godāna and Hiraṇyadāna to Brahmin as an act of expiation.^[7] It also proclaims the necessity of Biṃbaśuddhi, Prāsādaśuddhi, smearing and sprinkling of cow’s urine and the water, with which a Brahmins foot has been washed, for the purification of the temple premises.^[8] And it also recommends Snapana, Catuśśuddhi, Pañcaka, Sthānaśuddhi, recitation of Vedic hymns, Puṇyāha and Prāyaścittahoma.^[9] It also describes the detailed way of expiation for impurities affected in Kalaśa or its destruction and the falling down of idol, impurities affected in Bali and flag staff.^[10]