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Line 20: − + − The Article on sin in Hasting's Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (vol 11) will clearly show how the idea of sin varies from religion to religion, from age to age and from country to country. We are concerned here with the growth and development of the doctrine of Pataka in India from Vedic times to the medieval digests and commentaries on Dharmasastra.+ − − The followers of Carvāka who was the prince of Atheists in ancient India used to say 'man should live among pleasures as long as life lasts, he should feed himself sumptuously (lit. should drink ghee) even by borrowing money from others. There is no coming again into the world after the body is reduced to ashes by cremation'. − == Pataka in Rig Veda ==
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Pataka (Samskrit : पातकम्), loosely equated to Sin, is a terminology of dharmik significance in the present days. Many people, both in the East and the West, question the very existence of sin. In a general way it is said to be an act of willful rebellion against or disobedience of some law given in the authoritative texts; it is opposition or at least failure to abide by the regulations contained therein.<ref name=":32">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1953) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law in India), Volume 4.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>
Pataka (Samskrit : पातकम्), loosely equated to Sin, is a unique term of dharmik significance in the present days. Many people, both in the East and the West, question the very existence of sin. In a general way it is said to be an act of willful rebellion against or disobedience of some law given in the authoritative texts (the Vedas and Smrtis); an act of opposition or at least failure to abide by the regulations contained therein.<ref name=":32">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1953) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law in India), Volume 4.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>
== Introduction ==
The Article on sin in Hasting's Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (vol 11) will clearly show how the idea of sin varies from religion to religion, from age to age and from country to country. We are concerned here with the growth and development of the doctrine of Pataka in India from Vedic times to the medieval digests and commentaries on Dharmasastra.
The followers of Charvaka (atheistic and materialistic philosophy) encourage that "man should live among pleasures as long as life lasts, he should feed himself sumptuously (lit. should drink ghee) even by borrowing money from others. There is no coming again into the world after the body is reduced to ashes by cremation".
Dismissing the Charvaka theory, the concept of Papam (पापम्) or Pataka forms the very foundation of moral guidance that directed the mindset of the people of the ancient civilization of Bharatavarsha. Rig veda abounds with instances of Papam and the ways to overcome them called as Prayaschitta (प्रायश्चित्तम्)<blockquote>पूर्वजन्म कृतं पापं व्याधि रूपेण बाधते । तत शांतिरोषधेदानें मन्त्र जप होम सुरारचनें ।।</blockquote>
== Etymology ==
Papa Pataka
Papa Pataka
The Rgveda is full of fervent and heart-felt expressions of the sense of sin.
The Rgveda is full of fervent and heart-felt expressions of the sense of sin.
== Introduction ==
== Pataka in Rig Veda ==
Rigveda describes the idea sin in connection with the concept of [[Rta (ऋतम्)|Rta]](ऋतम्). Rta is defined as the general order in the cosmos, a course of nature.
The seers of Rgveda were acutely conscious of sin or guilt and pray to the devatas, particularly to Varuna and the Adityas, for forgiveness and for being freed from the consequences of anrta. In this connection they employ numerous words such as aghas, enas, anrta, durta, dushta, drugdha, canhas. A few examples of the employment of these words may be cited here.
The seers of Rgveda were acutely conscious of sin or guilt and pray to the devatas, particularly to Varuna and the Adityas, for forgiveness and for being freed from the consequences of anrta. In this connection they employ numerous words such as aghas, enas, anrta, durta, dushta, drugdha, canhas. A few examples of the employment of these words may be cited here.