Shloka 6
Prāyaścitta and Contextual Non-Culpability (प्रायश्चित्त-निमित्त-अदोषवाद)
धनं वा जीवनायालं गृहं वा सपरिच्छदम् । मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्याया गोप्ता गोब्राह्मणस्य च
dhanaṃ vā jīvanāyālaṃ gṛhaṃ vā saparicchadam | mucyate brahmahatyāyā goptā gobrāhmaṇasya ca ||
ব্যাস বললেন—জীবনধারণের জন্য যথেষ্ট ধন দান করেও, অথবা সব সামগ্রীসহ একটি গৃহ দান করেও—যে গো ও ব্রাহ্মণদের রক্ষা করেছে, সে ব্রহ্মহত্যার পাপ থেকে মুক্ত হয়।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Protection of cows and brāhmaṇas, coupled with substantial restitution through life-sustaining gifts (wealth or a fully furnished house), is presented as a powerful means of release from even the grave sin of brahma-hatyā.
In Vyāsa’s instruction within Śānti Parva’s dharma discourse, a specific expiatory pathway is stated: a guardian of cows and brāhmaṇas becomes freed from brahma-hatyā by making major gifts that secure another’s livelihood—either sufficient wealth or a well-provisioned home.