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[Nishītha Sūtra
It is said that the prāyaścitta for merely consuming a leppable substance is a prāyaścitta, and the prāyaścitta for merely consuming medicine is a prāyaścitta. There are no other alternative sūtras of this type.
_ The meaning of these sūtras is that they are prāyaścitta sūtras for the uncaused karma of the body and instruments. The decision of uncaused and caused can only be made by a gītartha. It is not proper for anyone to wander without a gītartha or without the guidance of a gītartha. Brihatkalpa Bhāṣya Gā. 688 ||
The words gītartha and bahuśruta are both indicative of the same meaning. In the āgamas, the word bahuśruta is often used, and in the commentary texts, the word "gītartha" is used. The explanation of gītartha is in Brihatkalpa Bhāṣya Pothikā Gā. 693.
The explanation of bahuśruta is in Nishītha Bhāṣya Pīthikā Gā. 495. There is uniformity in both explanations. That explanation is as follows:
"One who has memorized the Jghana Ācārāṅga Sūtra and the Nishītha Sūtra along with their meaning, along with the practice of many āgamas and adherence to the prācāra."
'One who is a holder of the excellent 14 pūrvas.'
And in the middle, one who has memorized at least the Pācārāṅga, Nishītha, Sūyagaḍāṅga, Daśaśruta Skandha, Brihatkalpa and Vyavahāra Sūtra.
This is the explanation for bahuśruta and this is the explanation for gītartha. The meaning of 'holding' in the āgama is to memorize the original and the meaning. Because there is also a prāyaścitta statement for forgetting these āgamas, and there is no prāyaścitta for a sthavira forgetting. This is described in Vyav. U. 5.
_ Therefore, it is proper to wander only with the guidance of a gītartha (or bahuśruta) of this qualification, and to decide on exceptions with their guidance. The prohibition of the unqualified becoming prominent and wandering is in Vyav. U. 3 Sūtra 1. Vasīkaraṇa Sūtra - Karana Prāyaścitta
70. Je bhikku saṇ-kappāsao vā, uṇṇa-kappāsao vā, poṇḍ-kappāsao vā, amila-kappāsao vā vasīkaraṇasuttāi karei, karentaṁ vā sāijjai.
A bhikku who makes a vasīkaraṇa sūtra (thread) from cotton from saṇ, wool, poṇḍ or amila, or approves of one who makes it. (He incurs a laghumāsika prāyaścitta.) Discussion
1. Saṇ - a well-known plant. 2. Uṇṇa - sheep's wool.