Shloka 25

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

अग्निवर्णं घृतं वापि चीरवास जटी भवेत् / व्रतं ब्रह्महणः कुर्यात्पुनः संस्कारमर्हति

Transliteration

agnivarṇaṃ ghṛtaṃ vāpi cīravāsa jaṭī bhavet / vrataṃ brahmahaṇaḥ kuryātpunaḥ saṃskāramarhati

Translation

Er soll den Glanz des Feuers annehmen (das Leuchten der Askese) und von Ghee (oder einfacher Kost) leben; in Baumrinde gekleidet und mit verfilztem Haar soll er zum Asketen werden. Durch die Erfüllung eines solchen Gelübdes wird der Töter eines brāhmaṇa wieder würdig, die Reinigungsriten (saṃskāra) zu empfangen.

Word by Word

• अग्निवर्णम्: fire-colored
• अग्निवर्णम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अग्नि + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष (अग्निवर्णः = fire-colored), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• घृतम्: ghee
• घृतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (or)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-निपात (also/even)

• चीरवासः: one wearing bark-cloth
• चीरवासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चीर + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (चीरस्य वासः = bark-garment), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जटी: matted-haired ascetic
• जटी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (जटाधरः)

• भवेत्: should become
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• व्रतम्: vow/penance
• व्रतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ब्रह्महणः: Brahmin-slayer
• ब्रह्महणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + हन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणः हन्ता), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/पुनरावृत्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (again)

• संस्कारम्: rite, purification ceremony
• संस्कारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अर्हति: is entitled/deserves
• अर्हति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present indicative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tapas and vrata can burn down demerit and restore saṃskāra-adhikāra; external marks (bark cloth, matted hair) signify inner discipline.

Vedantic Theme: Purification of antaḥkaraṇa through tapas; karma is not fatalistic—reform is possible through sustained discipline.

Application: Adopt sustained corrective practices (simplicity, restraint, service) and complete formal processes of rehabilitation before resuming positions of trust.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: forest/ascetic setting (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana prāyaścitta descriptions of brahmahatyā-vrata and re-qualification for rites (general parallel themes)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Brahmaha (brahmahatyā-doer)

FAQs

What is the importance of prayaschitta (atonement) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that even grave sins like brahmahatyā are addressed through structured vows and austerities, restoring eligibility for purificatory saṃskāras when sincerely undertaken.

How does this verse relate to purification and ritual eligibility?

It states that after completing the prescribed vrata—marked by ascetic discipline (bark-cloth, matted hair, austere living)—the offender becomes fit again for saṃskāra, i.e., reintegration into ritual purity and dharmic order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt genuine repentance and disciplined self-restraint after wrongdoing, and seek ethical restitution; the principle is that transformation through sustained practice restores moral and spiritual fitness.