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CHAPTER I
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS Prāyaschitta is the cause of the destruction of the eril effect of karmas. All serious-minded aspirants are erer eager to presel ve the purity of the mind undefiled, and at once resort to measures to remove the taint, if a blemish is noticed by them in their conduct, that is, thought, Tord or deed
Prayaschitta is very pleasing to the generality of men, especially to the community of the pious householders (laity) Disciplinary vows are useless in the absence of the rectifying penance, and no conduct can be deemed bright or purposeful whose faults are not noted nor corrected In short, without penance there can be no proper conduct ; without proper conduct there can be no dharma (religion or piety); and without dharma salvation cannot be attained
The Toid prāyaschetta is derived from prāyo, the people or pious folk, and chrtta, mind : hence That is pleasing to the mind of the pious folk is
