* qualifications of the assembly members in deciding atonement rites.
qualifications of the assembly members in deciding atonement rites.
Sage Narayan said:-
O Brahmin! As the details of the atonement rites are mentioned elsewhere, I shall hereby tell you in brief of its core only. 1.
The rite or means by which one can wipe out the effect of a major or minor sin, is called an atonement rite. 2.
Great sages have divided sins into six categories. Sins, major sins, minor sins, mixed sins, great sins as the fifth, and the sixth ones that are grave sins. They are also divided into two categories done intentionally (knowingly) and innocently (unknowingly)3-4
O you great one!, Sins which are equal to major sins are called ‘Patak’. They are - killing a Brahmin, drinking liquor, stealing gold, illegal (sex) relation with teacher’s wife and staying in a company of sinful people. All these are known as major sins. 5 - 6
The one which is somewhat less than Patak is known as ‘Upapak’. Whereas, the one that is more than Mahapapa, is called Atipapa. And more than that, is called Atyadhipatak. The one that is less than is called Upapatak is called Prakirna (the miscellaneous ones). 7 - 8.
Learned people have stated that the expiation rite recommended for that particular sin which is committed unknowingly. If the sin is committed knowingly or intentionally then that rite is to be observed double than the previous one. 9.
If he knows that this is a sin and commits it repeatedly, then there is no expiation for that ! No one can save such a man from going to hell or taking birth in the lowest species. 10.
The actual doer who causes others to do it, who agrees or seconds it or helps, or saves the doer, all those involved in the act will be the recipients of the outcome for that sin.( they will be subject to punishment) 11.
If a sinner is more than five years and less then eleven years old, then his father, brother or some relative should perform the expiation rite. 12.
If the child is less than six years he is not considered a sinner. There is neither any punishment nor an expiation rite for such a child. 13.
When a sinner is a boy from eleven to sixteen years; or an ill man or an old man or a women, they should perform half of the expiation.14.
Nobody should commit any sin intentionally under any circumstances. If it has happened unintentionally or unknowingly, and that also only once, then the person should observe the expiation rite. 15.
Such a person should take a bath and go to the assembly and gift gold and a cow (to Brahmins) and then himself should confess his sin there, with folded hands. 16.
It is said that an Assembly “Parishad” consists of at least 10 learned Brahmins who are experts in Vedas and other scriptures, who have control over their senses and who are firm in their religious duties. 17.
Brahmins, expert in Vedas and scriptures, may be seven, five, or three in numbers, their decision should be taken as verdict. Word of even One person who is spiritual advanced could be taken as a judgement. 18.
As it is mentioned above, the number of members of assembly of Kshatriyas should be double than the number of Brahmin’s assembly and for Vaishyas the number should be thrice of the Brahmin’s. The expiation vow advised to be observed, should be in the same proportion. 19.
The body consisting of Lakhs of fools or greedy or partial; those talking irreligious things, Assemblage of aged or young men , good looking and wealthy persons; cannot be said as an Assembly. An assembly may even consist of three or a single person who is spiritually advanced and learned in Vedas. 20 - 21.
A person who is well read, truth speaking, has control over his senses, calm and who follows his religious duties firmly is qualified to become a member of the (religious) assembly. 22.
Brahmins who understand the real sense of Dharma, though young in age, are considered to be the matured-elders and nor the fools who are grown old having grey hair. 23.
Where there is Truth there is Dharma (righteous law); where there is untruth there prevails Adharma. Therefore, only dharma wins and not Adharma. Likewise, only truth wins and not falsehood. 24.
The verdict of the assembly given in case of expiation rites, and ordinary issues of disputes; shall be final. Whatever it would say, as dharma is dharma and Adharma is Adharma. 25.
One who has no knowledge ,nor expertise in astronomy, judicial procedure, atonement rites, or medicine and still gives fictitious decisions on those subjects, is a great sinner. 26.
Such a sinner gets purified by following the procedure ordained by the assembly members. However, if that decision is wrong (unrighteous), the sin befalls on the members of the assembly. 27.
So the pious, sin fearing Brahmin members of the assembly should give the right decision based on truth only and not otherwise. 28.
They should always be kind and considerate towards women, children, old, weak, deformed and those who are unable to observe fast. 29.
Those pious Brahmins who are the knowers of Dharma, should take into consideration the place, time, age and capacity of the sinner, and be kind towards the person while advising atonement. 30.
If the members out of insensibility, temptation, fear or friendship, etc. do favour to a sinner, certainly go to the deadly hell called ‘ Raurava’. 31.
Those pious sagas of ancient times who were experts in Dharma, like Manu and others have declared ‘Dharma’ (righteous law) and not according to others, so called learned .So, it should be seriously thought over and then interpreted. 32.
Taking into account the traditions of that particular region, and family and the place (town or village); a verdict should be given according to the religious scriptures and never inconsiderately or hastily. 33.
The sinner should observe the rite of expiation as directed by the assembly. Then alone he will be purified, otherwise ( if he does something according to his own will) he will go to hell. 34.
A wise one who has committed sin secretly should himself find out the proper atonement rite prescribed by the Shastras, and observe it. An ordinary man having no knowledge of Shastras, should take an advice of a learned, pious one and do accordingly. 35.
O you foremost among the Brahmins! Now, I shall tell you about the atonement rites for the great sins or similar to the great sins ( among the six types of sins), as declared in the scriptures, by the sages. Wise people should follow it accordingly to their capacity. 36.
Thus ends the forty-third chapter entitled, ‘narration of atonement code: atonement tribunal,’ in the fifth Prakaran of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra. (the rules of the code of conduct). 43