Shloka 39

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas: Liquor, Theft, Sexual Transgression, Contact with the Fallen, and Homicide

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं वापि षण्मासानाचरेद् यमी / मुच्यते ह्यवकीर्णो तु ब्राह्मणानुमते स्थितः

Transliteration

brahmahatyāvrataṃ vāpi ṣaṇmāsānācared yamī / mucyate hyavakīrṇo tu brāhmaṇānumate sthitaḥ

Translation

Oder der selbstbeherrschte Mann übe sechs Monate lang das zur Sühne für Brahmanenmord vorgeschriebene Gelübde; so wird er befreit. Wahrlich, selbst wer durch einen schweren Fehltritt (avakīrṇa) befleckt ist, wird erlöst, wenn er im Einklang mit der Zustimmung der Brāhmaṇas verbleibt.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या-व्रतम्: the vow for expiation of brahma-slaying
• ब्रह्महत्या-व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्महत्या + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ब्रह्महत्यायाः व्रतम्)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

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

• षण्मासान्: (for) six months
• षण्मासान्: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षण्मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास (षण् + मास)

• आचरेत्: should practice/perform
• आचरेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यमी: the self-restrained person
• यमी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यमिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेष्य-रूपेण (one who is self-restrained)

• मुच्यते: is freed
• मुच्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण/हेतौ-निपात (indeed/for)

• अवकीर्णः: the avakīrṇa offender
• अवकीर्णः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवकीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेष्य (the offender termed avakīrṇa)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-निपात (but/indeed)

• ब्राह्मण-अनुमते: in/under the permission of Brahmins
• ब्राह्मण-अनुमते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण + अनुमत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ब्राह्मणानाम् अनुमते)

• स्थितः: remaining/abiding
• स्थितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अवकीर्णस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the dharma-teaching as received from the sages of the Kūrma Purāṇa tradition)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇas
• Brahmahatyā (sin of brahmin-slaying)
• Avakīrṇa (grave impurity)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

This verse is primarily dharma-oriented (prāyaścitta) rather than metaphysical; it implies that inner discipline (yamā/saṃyama) and right conduct restore purity, which is a prerequisite for steady realization of the Self in the broader Purāṇic path.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights yama/saṃyama—self-restraint and disciplined living—as the practical ‘yogic’ foundation supporting expiation: sustained vow-observance for six months, guided by orthodox authority (brāhmaṇa-anumati).

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

Indirectly: the Kurma Purana’s synthesis treats ethical purification and vow-based discipline as universally valid across Shaiva-Vaishnava frameworks; such prāyaścitta supports devotion and practice whether oriented to Śiva (Pāśupata) or Viṣṇu (Kūrma/Nārāyaṇa).