History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.141

v5.c71.s1.141

Before proceeding with the subject of prāyaścittas we shall speak briefly about the other means of reducing the consequences of sin And first comes confession With reference to the confession of paramours by the wife in the Varuṇapraghāsa, the Tai. Br. (I. 6. 5. 2)⁹⁷ says 'He makes the wife confess, thereby he renders her pure and then he leads her to penance'. The Śat. Br. (II. 5. 2. 20) puts it in this form 'for when confessed the sin becomes less, since it becomes truth'. This was a confession before God (Fire) and men (the priests) to restore one to divine forgiveness and favour As regards several lapses, confession was part of the procedure prescribed for atoning for the sin.