History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.535

v5.c71.s1.535

*PĀDAKṚCCHRA*—According to Yāj. III. 318 (=Devala 85) this is defined as a penance where a sinner takes food one day only once by day, only once by night, then once only (by day or night) but without asking for it from any one (a stranger, a servant or even his own wife) and observes a total fast for one day. Thus this penance lasts for four days. There was difference of view as to the number of mouthfuls to be eaten, Āpastamba (q by Mit. on Yāj. III. 318) saying that the mouthfuls are respectively 22, 26 and 24 when food is taken only once in the evening or morning or without asking for it, while Parāśara states the number of mouthfuls to be 12, 15 or 24 respectively when food is taken only at night or in the morning or without asking for it The Caturviṁśatimata (q. by Par. M. II part 2 p. 172) puts them as 12, 15 and 10 respectively