History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.139

v5.c71.s1.139

But this general principle was modified in various ways by the smṛtis and later writings. Gautama 19. 11⁹⁶ (=Vasiṣṭha 22. 8) states: 'Reciting the Veda inaudibly (japa), austerities, a sacrifice, fasting and giving gifts are the means of expiating that (i e. a blamable act)' Vas. 20. 47 and 25. 3 lay down 'A sinner is freed from sin by tormenting his body, by austerities, by reciting the Veda and also by making gifts' and 'those who are constantly engaged in *prāṇāyāmas* (suppression and regulation of breath), reciting purificatory texts, giving gifts, offering sacrifices, muttering sacred texts 'will undoubtedly be freed from sins'. Manu III. 227 observes. 'by confession, by repentance, by austerity, by reciting Vedic texts (sacred Gāyatrī or other texts), a sinner is freed from guilt and in case of difficulty (i. e. if he is unable to perform austerities or to recite Vedic texts) by liberality'. Similar provisions occur in Parāśara X. 40, Śātātapa I. 4, Saṁvarta 203, Hārīta (q. in Pr. T. p 467), Yama, (q. in Pr. V. pp 30, 31), Bhaviṣyapurāṇa (q. by Pr. V. p. 31)