Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Viśvarūpa’s Death, Vṛtrāsura’s Manifestation, and the Devas’ Surrender to Nārāyaṇa
ब्रह्महत्यामञ्जलिना जग्राह यदपीश्वर: । संवत्सरान्ते तदघं भूतानां स विशुद्धये । भूम्यम्बुद्रुमयोषिद्भ्यश्चतुर्धा व्यभजद्धरि: ॥ ६ ॥
brahma-hatyām añjalinā jagrāha yad apīśvaraḥ saṁvatsarānte tad aghaṁ bhūtānāṁ sa viśuddhaye bhūmy-ambu-druma-yoṣidbhyaś caturdhā vyabhajad dhariḥ
مع أن إندرا كان قويًّا بحيث يستطيع إبطال آثار الخطيئة لقتل برهمن، إلا أنه، نادمًا، قبل عبء تلك الآثار ويداه مضمومتان. عانى سنةً كاملة، ثم لتطهير نفسه وزّع تبعات ذلك الذنب على الأرض والماء والأشجار والنساء، فقسّمها أربعة أقسام.
FAQs
This verse states that even Indra had to accept the reaction of brahma-hatyā, and that Lord Hari later arranged its division for universal purification—showing the gravity of the offense and the Lord’s governance over karmic reactions.
According to this verse, Hari did so “for the purification of living beings,” distributing the reaction into four shares so that the burden would not remain concentrated and the cosmic order could be restored.
The shloka emphasizes accountability for wrongdoing and sincere humility, while also reminding devotees that ultimate purification and restoration come under the Lord’s higher arrangement—encouraging repentance, ethical conduct, and devotion.