https://youtu.be/W8wn8mF_SMg
We may forgive the mistakes of the innocents and common people but not of the scholars, teachers, kings and the one who sticks to a vow. The punishment gets doubled for these people.  This implies that one who is well aware that a mistake must not be committed is ought to abide by it. 

There lived two brothers – Shanka and Likitha. They were researchers in the scriptures of dharma. Once, they observed an austerity wherein one must not beg for anything, steal anything and not even wish for others’ possessions even in the mind. In addition to all this, if they receive some food from someone unexpectedly, then they can accept, else, they must remain in fasting. This was the rule of the austerity. 

One day, Likitha went to his brother’s hermitage. While he was returning home, his eyes fell on mangoes in the nearby garden. Since he was hungry, he touched one. It was ripen completely by then. As and when it came into contact of his hands, it fell down. Instantly, he became grief-stricken. He immediately went to his brother and told him to chop off his hands since he had broken the vow as part of austerity. Listening to his brother’s words, Shanka said, “I have forgiven you and I am giving away the garden in charity to you. Also, I will share the sin acquired as a result of breaking the austerity.” How strange! There was a long discussion on this topic for some time and they finally approached King Dharmadhwaja for justice. Liktha said, “O king! If you leave the sinner without punishing, you will have to go to hell. Hence, please free me from my sin.” The king was happy to observe the righteous attitude of the brothers. Finally, the king decided to chop off the hands of Likitha. But then he said, “O King! You must chop off my hands by yourself.” The king then prayed to Lord Srihari and chopped off his hands. Happily, he accepted the punishment. But, the king was surprised. Shanka ordered his brother to go and have bath in the nearby river-Bahudha. Likitha abided by. As soon as Likitha took bath and came out of the river, his hands came back to him. This is the result of sticking to dharma. 

Hence, it is wrong to commit mistake. If it is done, one has to bear the punishment without trying to elude from it. In case one eludes, it is like insulting and cheating dharma. The atonement of the mistake or the sin is possible only through the punishment. Else, it will give rise to lot of grief. Trying to escape from the punishment is like cheating one’s very own self. When you pray, it is right to say, “O Lord! Please punish me and protect me!” It is wrong to ask, “O Lord! Please forgive me. I have committed a mistake somehow. How can I remain without making any mistakes? I am a human, after all. I am your child and you are the Almighty. You do have the power to forgive me.” We must not say so. It is only good to seek as, “Protect me by giving punishment and learning.” It is wrong to pray to forgive us time and again. It is instead good if we say to punish first and protect thereafter. When we face the punishment, we see a transformation in the mind. As a result, we will never commit the same mistake again. When the wrong doer is given punishment, there is a teaching along with it. It is an experience that prevents one from doing the mistake again. He is cautious every time that there is a punishment for the sin committed. He becomes ready to face it. Hence, when one prays for God, one must say, “I have committed mistake. Please punish me and protect me”.

Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!