prāyaścittam atho katham

sri-raja uvaca-Pariksit Maharaja replied; drsta-by seeing; srutabhyam-also by hearing (from the scriptures or lawbooks); yat-since; papam-sinful, criminal action; janan-knowing; api-although; atmanah-of his self; ahitam-injurious; karoti-he acts; bhuyah-again and again; vivasah-unable to control himself; prayascittam-atonement; atho-therefore; katham-what is the value of.