Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s2.9

c10.s2.9

According to the author, the practice of the Bhagavad-dharma is much superior to the worship of inferior gods and ancestors and to the performance of all acts indispensable (Nitya), occasional (Naimittika) and optional (Kāmya), so much that the methods followed in the Bhagavad-dharma of performing the Vedic rites is much superior to those followed by the Karmins. Thus, in case of committing one or more of the sins (Pātakas), the exclusive devotees of Kṛṣṇa (or Viṣṇu) are bound, not by the Smārta rules of expiation, but by the Sātvata practice which requires that the sinner should be re-initiated, with five purificatory rites (Saṃskāras), to the Mantra of the Bhagavat by his preceptor, or the preceptor's wife, or his son, or any of his disciples who is a class-mate of the sinner; and thus purified, he should worship Viṣṇu and perform Vaiṣṇava festivities (Mahotsavas).