Prāyaścitta — rites of amends

Prāyaścitta are rites of making amends for a mistake — a lapse in a vow, an error during a ritual, or a wrong done to someone. They may include fasting, chanting, charity, or a short homa.

The spirit is repair, not punishment. Many rites end with a simple prayer asking forgiveness for anything missed or done wrongly. For harm done to a person, tradition and common sense agree: apologise and make it right with that person too.

Repair, not punishment

Karmakāṇḍa — the ritual way · Ask a Jyotishi your own question