{{Hinduism}} '''Mahapatakas''' are five great sins (pāpa) that are mentioned in Hindu texts.
== Cycle of birth and death == As per Hindu texts, every action (''kriya'') of a living being (''karta'') leads to a reaction and an associated result, which forms the concept of ''karma''. Every transgression, or demerit, signifying deeds or intentions that transgress moral and spiritual laws, results in negative karma called ''pāpa'', while good deeds earn ''punya''. As per ''Bhagavad Gita'', a ''atman'' (soul) spends time in the ''svarga'' (heaven) for the good deeds and is cast back into earth to take a life form (''jiva''). As long as sins are committed, the cycle of rebirth (''samsara'') continues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sanatanadhara.com/punya/|title=Punya|work=Sanatana Dhara|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
== Sins == ''Manusmriti'' mentions the five greatest sins (''mahapatakas''):<ref name="Ramm">{{cite book|title=Offense to Reason: A Theology of Sin|author=Bernard L. Ramm|year=2000|isbn=978-1-573-83001-0|publisher=Regent College|page=60}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism Clarified And Simplified|author=Shrikant Prasoon|year=2009|isbn=978-8-122-31056-6|publisher=Pustak Mahal|page=194}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism Reconsidered|year=2001|isbn=978-8-173-04385-7|publisher=Manohar Publications|editor1=Günther-Dietz Sontheimer|editor2=Hermann Kulke|page=252}}</ref> * ''Brahmahatya'' – killing a Brahmin or a learned person * ''Surapana'' – usage of alcohol or intoxicating substances * ''Steya'' – stealing a Brahmin's gold * ''Guruvanganagama'' – committing adultery with one's spiritual teacher's wife * ''Mahapatakasamsarga'' – associating with those who have committed any of the above four sins
There are other activities (''anupatakas'') which are mentioned as equivalent to committing these five great sins.<ref name="Day">{{cite book|title=The Conception of Punishment in Early Indian Literature|author=Terence Day|year=1982|isbn=978-0-919-81215-4|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University Press|page=95}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism|author=Monier Monier-Williams|year=1882|publisher=Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge|page=64}}</ref><ref name="Saral">{{cite book|title=Aspects of Hindu morality|author=Saral Jhingran|year=1989|isbn=978-8-120-80574-3|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|page=62}}</ref> Murdering a menstruating or pregnant woman, killing of a kshatriya or one who has given a sacrifice, causing harm to one who has sought refuge and endangering a child or causing an abortion are considered equivalent to ''Brahmahatya''. Betraying a friend is considered equivalent to consuming intoxicating substances (''surapana''). Embezzling land and property of Brahmins, and stealing certain items such as horses, jewellery are considered equivalent to ''steya''. Indulging in a incestuous relationship with an elder or friend's spouse is considered equivalent to ''guruvanganagama''.<ref name="Day"/><ref name="Saral"/>
== Punishment and atonement == The Hindu texts mention various punishments for various sins, apart from suffering in ''naraka'' (hell) in the afterlife and subsequent rebirth. However, there were differences in terms of the quantum and application of punishments based on the ''varna''s (social classes).<ref name="Saral"/><ref name="Sin">{{cite web|url=https://www.newsgram.com/general/2017/10/26/sins-in-hinduism-facts-meaningphilosophytypes-atonement|title=Sins in Hinduism|work=Newsgram|date=26 December 2017|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> One has to either feel remorse (''paścātāpa'') or atone for the sins committed (''prāyaścitta'').<ref name="Sin"/> Texts also give various means by which one can atone for the sins committed. These include public confession (''abhishasta''), prayer to god and chanting mantras, visiting pilgrimage sites and taking holy dip in sacred rivers, performing rituals, austere living and virtuous conduct, attaining knowledge (''gnana''), self control and meditation, obtaining blessings of saints, gurus or elders, and giving charity (''dhana'').<ref name="Ramm"/><ref name="Sin"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Indian Philosophy|state=collapsed}}
Category:Hindu philosophical concepts Category:Sanskrit words and phrases