Atonement to eliminate the harmful effects of sins

Generally, it can be said that performing any prohibited acts or acts that are considered condemnable by our scriptures is a sin. Sins can make an individual wretched, thereby bringing about his downfall. No one can escape the consequences of sins. Only if one repents for their sins committed  and undergoes its related punishment, as advised by Dharma, can  one be absolved of their sins. Facing punishment as advised by Dharma is known as taking ‘atonement’. Other sects believe that confession, donation and repentance absolve individuals of their sins. However, Hindu Dharma has  reached far beyond these three ways of overcoming sins.  Various types of sins have also been explained and  depending on the intensity of each sin, Hindu Dharma has advised with various atonements. To be able to stay in a state of Sat-Chit-Ānand by crossing over the bondage of joy-sorrow generated from demerit-merit oriented karmās, karma has to be such that it does not generate any consequence. Some methods to eliminate the harmful effects of sins and what should be done to avoid the effects of karma have been elaborated in this Holy text.