Shloka 21
Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations
Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa
निरातङ्कं द्विजं गां च ब्राह्मणार्थे हतो ऽपि वा / अरण्ये नियतो जुप्त्वा त्रिः कृत्वो वेदसंहिताम्
nirātaṅkaṃ dvijaṃ gāṃ ca brāhmaṇārthe hato 'pi vā / araṇye niyato juptvā triḥ kṛtvo vedasaṃhitām
Selbst wenn man getötet wird, während man um eines brāhmaṇa willen handelt—einen untadeligen Dvija (brāhmaṇa) oder eine Kuh schützend—soll man, in Selbstzucht, in den Wald gehen und eine disziplinierte Rezitation vollziehen, indem man die vedische Saṃhitā dreimal wiederholt.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Protecting a blameless brāhmaṇa or cow is dharmically weighty; disciplined forest-life and thrice-recitation of Vedic Saṃhitā serve as purification and reaffirmation of sacred order.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva is strengthened by tapas and śruti-japa; dharma-protection supports inner clarity conducive to bhakti/jñāna.
Application: Stand up for the vulnerable even at personal cost; then undertake sustained self-discipline and study to prevent relapse and to rebuild integrity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest hermitage/solitude
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105.20 (brāhmaṇa-trāṇa as purifier)
FAQs
This verse treats the protection of a blameless brāhmaṇa and a cow as a high dharmic duty, significant enough that even death incurred in that cause is framed within a disciplined, purifying religious context.
By emphasizing restraint, forest-discipline, and Vedic recitation, the verse links one’s post-death welfare to dharmic intention and purification through sacred sound, rather than mere outward outcomes like injury or death.
Uphold non-harm and protection of the vulnerable, and when moral injury or conflict occurs, adopt disciplined corrective practice—such as sincere study/recitation, self-restraint, and ethical living—to realign with dharma.