| Manusmriti |
 |
| Scriptures |
|
Manusmriti: The Laws of Manu |
|
|
|
|
| 231.
He who has committed a sin and has repented, is freed from that sin,
but he is purified only by (the resolution of) ceasing (to sin and
thinking) 'I will do so no more.' 232.
Having thus considered in his mind what results will arise from his
deeds after death, let him always be good in thoughts, speech, and
actions. 233.
He who, having either unintentionally or intentionally committed a
reprehensible deed, desires to be freed from (the guilt on it, must
not commit it a second time. 234.
If his mind be uneasy with respect to any act, let him repeat the
austerities (prescribed as a penance) for it until they fully
satisfy (his conscience). 235.
All the bliss of gods and men is declared by the sages to whom the
Veda was revealed, to have austerity for its root, austerity for its
middle, and austerity for its end. 236.
(The pursuit of sacred) knowledge is the austerity of a Brahmana,
protecting (the people) is the austerity of a Kshatriya, (the
pursuit of) his daily business is the austerity of a Vaisya, and
service the austerity of a Sudra. 237.
The sages who control themselves and subsist on fruit, roots, and
air, survey the three worlds together with their moving and
immovable (creatures) through their austerities alone. 238.
Medicines, good health, learning, and the various divine stations
are attained by austerities alone; for austerity is the means of
gaining them. 239.
Whatever is hard to be traversed, whatever is hard to be attained,
whatever is hard to be reached, whatever is hard to be performed,
all (this) may be accomplished by austerities; for austerity
(possesses a power) which it is difficult to surpass. 240.
Both those who have committed mortal sin (Mahapataka) and all other
offenders are severally freed from their guilt by means of
well-performed austerities. |
|
|
|
