Page 75 - Hinduism

for lapses and sin. A man should feel repentance for what he has done and should benefit by experience. This is brought about by means of the prāyaścittās. The most common form of purification is penance and fasting or physical mortification leading to the purification of the soul. The derivative meaning of prāyaścittā is penance and determination (not to repeat the act). These expiatory ceremonies purify the mind of the person and prevent his spirituality from being lowered by the omissions and commissions. The prāyaścittāa are prescribed for slips or unintentional mistakes but not for willful misdeeds or omissions. There is no atonement for willful wickedness. The man is doomed for life. In our daily round of duties, we may unwittingly omit some details and we may not be aware of it. In order to ward off the evil effects of such omissions, it is usual to perform an act of atonement for them at the end of every ceremony. Our people are very scrupulous in the discharge of their duties and want to make sure of the merit of the actions. Remorse is vital to virtuous life.
Our system of fasts (vratas) and festivals are calculated to help us in self-purification and development of the sattva character. If sattva increases, we will be free from egoism and resign ourselves to the will of God and attain salvation by His mercy. Fast reduces the force of the material body and enables the spiritual nature to attain
ascendancy. Festivals are not simple feasts or 75