Book Title: Practice of Karma Yoga
Author(s): Swami Sivananda
Publisher: Divine Life Society

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Page 212
________________ PRACTICE OF KARMA YOGA 3. Kamya Karmas_optional rites. 4. Prayaschitta Karmas---penances. Morning bath and Sandhya in the three periods of time constitute Nitya Karmas. If you do not perform them daily you incur sin. You are subject to Pratyavaya Dosha (the sin of omission) The rites done during eclipse and Shraddha (ceremony) every year are Naimittaka Karmas Non-performance of these rites brings sin. That man who is struggling to obtain Moksha will not be affected by the harmful effects of leaving the Nitya and Naimittaka Karmas. Kamya Karmas are performed with a motive of obtaining definite results Sacrisices that are done for getting rain, and the offerings to fire for obtaining Swarga, are examples of Kamya Karmas Prayaschitta is done for the destruction of sin. In the Code of Manu you will find various kinds of Prayaschitta for the destruction of various kinds of sins, such as the murder of a Brahmin, killing of a cow, drinking alcohol or taking forbidden foods, adultery, etc Prayaschitta is of two kinds, viz., 1. Extraordinary (Asadharana) and 2. Ordinary (Sad. harana). Extraordinary penances are those which are prescribed in the Code of Manu for the destruction of particular sins. Chandrayana Vrita, Krichhra Vrita and various other kinds such as carrying a skull in the hand and living on alms after renouncing all property, living underneath a tree, long pilgrimage till the end of one's life, and openly admitting before 208

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