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Kriyāpāda 93 (20) This section deals with expiatory ceremonies. It is possible that many omissions and commissions can occur in the course of an elaborate ritual. This would result in the loss of virtues. Atonement becomes necessary. अथ प्रमादस्खलितविस्मृतिच्युतजन्मनाम् । दोषणां प्रशमायात्र प्रायश्चित्तं निगद्यते ।।
Many instances where atonement is needed are given and the rites for the same are enumerated. It is stressed that one should try to avoid mistakes rather than committing the same and then doing expiatory rites,
प्रायश्चित्तं त्वेवमुक्तं तु येषां दोषाणां तच्छुद्धये तान् प्रयत्नात् ।
बुद्धवा बुद्ध्वा वर्जयेदेव विद्वान् पङ्कास्पर्शः क्षालनाद् यद् वरिष्ठः ।।
Some of the situations in which expiation becomes necessary may be noted as follows. The idol may slip from the hand or pedastal ; it may be lost or burnt. Things which are classed under the group Nirmālya may be avoided. These belong to six kinds as follows: निर्माल्यभेदाः कथ्यन्ते षड्विधास्तेऽपि तद् यथा। देवद्रव्यं च देवस्वं नैवेद्य च नवेदितम् ॥
चण्डद्रव्यं च निर्माल्यं तेषां लक्षणमुच्यते ॥
Clothes, ornament and incenses are Devadravyas. Village temples, cows bolonging to them etc, are classed as Devaswam. Rice and other things cooked for the god is called Naivedya. That which is already offered to the god is Nivedita. Candadravya is that which is thrown out from the temple precinets. These should not be touched or used in doing a ritual. Polution from different sources like the touch of an outcaste etc. necessitates expiation This kind of atonement can be by way of chanting Mantras over a stipulated period or a stipulated number of times, fasting, bathing performing minor rites and so on. · (21) Pavitráropana, the investing of the image with the sacred thread every year is a must for the proper fulfilment of the worship. This is needed to prevent obstacles in the proper performance of the rituals. If one fails to do this investiture ceremony one has to
