Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.37

c12.37

**Their Redemption.** These sinners are not, however, past redemption. They are reclaimed by performances of certain expiatory ceremonies and penances. Yājñavalkya prescribes the ceremony (*Kratu*) called *Vrātya-stoma*. Āpastamba [i, 1, 1, 28] prescribes an easier penance of observance of all restrictions which are imposed upon a Brahmachārī, such as continence and the like, for a period of two months. Vishṇu [liv, 26] prescribes three Prājāpatya penances, and Manu three Kṛichchhra penances [xi, 192]. Vasiṣṭha [xi, 76, 77] prescribes that "the *Patita-Sāvitrīka* must perform *Uddālaka Vrata*, subsisting for two months on barley-gruel (*yāvakena vartteta*), one month on milk (*payasā*), half-month on *āmiksha* (the solid part of milk extracted from its liquid, Bengali *chhānā*), eight days on *ghṛita*, six days on alms given without asking, three on only water, and one without any food or drink, by complete fasting. Or he may perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice or Vrātya-stoma" [*Smṛiti Chandrikā*, pp. 67-74].