Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 8
Indra’s Brahma-hatyā, Flight from Sin, and Purification by Aśvamedha
ब्रह्महा पितृहा गोघ्नो मातृहाचार्यहाघवान् । श्वाद: पुल्कसको वापि शुद्ध्येरन् यस्य कीर्तनात् ॥ ८ ॥ तमश्वमेधेन महामखेन श्रद्धान्वितोऽस्माभिरनुष्ठितेन । हत्वापि सब्रह्मचराचरं त्वं न लिप्यसे किं खलनिग्रहेण ॥ ९ ॥
brahma-hā pitṛ-hā go-ghno mātṛ-hācārya-hāghavān śvādaḥ pulkasako vāpi śuddhyeran yasya kīrtanāt
One who has killed a brāhmaṇa, one who has killed a cow or one who has killed his father, mother or spiritual master can be immediately freed from all sinful reactions simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Other sinful persons, such as dog-eaters and caṇḍālas, who are less than śūdras, can also be freed in this way. But you are a devotee, and we shall help you by performing the great horse sacrifice. If you please Lord Nārāyaṇa in that way, why should you be afraid? You will be freed even if you kill the entire universe, including the brāhmaṇas, not to speak of killing a disturbing demon like Vṛtrāsura.
It is said in the Bṛhad-viṣṇu Purāṇa:
FAQs
This verse declares that even the gravest sinners can be purified by kīrtana—chanting and glorifying the Supreme Lord (Viṣṇu).
Amid the crisis of Indra’s battle with Vṛtrāsura, the Devas seek divine protection and highlight bhakti—especially kīrtana—as the Lord’s most powerful purifying mercy.
Regularly chant the Lord’s holy names with sincerity (japa or kīrtana), using it as daily purification of mind and habits, alongside ethical living.