Shloka 161
Slaying of Andhaka; Hymn to the Sun; Glory of Brahmins; Gayatri Nyasa and Pranayama
सकृदुच्चारितेनैव क्षयं यात्युपपातकं । प्रतिवर्णस्वरं ज्ञात्वा विन्यस्येद्यः कलेवरे
sakṛduccāritenaiva kṣayaṃ yātyupapātakaṃ | prativarṇasvaraṃ jñātvā vinyasyedyaḥ kalevare
Schon durch einmaliges Aussprechen werden die geringeren Sünden vernichtet. Wer den Klang und die Intonation jeder Silbe kennt und sie durch Nyāsa ordnungsgemäß im Leib verankert, erlangt diese reinigende Wirkung.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 46)
Concept: Even a single correct utterance destroys minor sins; deeper efficacy comes from knowing svara/varṇa and performing nyāsa—placing mantra into the body.
Application: Chant slowly with correct pronunciation; learn basic svara/intonation from a competent teacher; pair japa with mindful placement (heart/head) to internalize virtue.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close, symbolic scene shows syllables of the Gāyatrī as luminous seed-letters entering the practitioner’s body at specific points—forehead, throat, heart—like tiny lotuses blooming. The surrounding darkness of impurity dissolves into clear light as each syllable is placed with reverent precision.","primary_figures":["dvija practitioner","personified mantra-syllables (bīja-like light forms)"],"setting":"minimalist inner-temple visualization space, with faint outline of a sanctum behind the seated figure","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","electric gold","midnight blue","lotus pink","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: frontal seated practitioner with a gold-leaf aura, seed-syllables rendered as tiny jeweled lotuses placed on head-throat-heart, ornate arch-like prabhāmaṇḍala, rich crimson and emerald textiles, heavy gold embellishment emphasizing mantra power.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined, intimate composition with delicate glowing akṣaras floating into the body, cool blues and soft pinks, subtle shading, lyrical minimal background suggesting inner space, fine facial serenity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized akṣaras as floral medallions, strong red-yellow-green contrasts, symmetrical placement points on the body, temple-wall iconographic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central figure surrounded by concentric lotus rings, akṣaras as petal clusters, intricate floral borders, deep indigo field with gold highlights, devotional ornamentation echoing nāma-japa aesthetics."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["silence","soft drone (tanpura)","single bell strike","gentle breath"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सकृदुच्चारितेनैव = सकृत् + उच्चारितेन + एव; यात्युपपातकं = याति + उपपातकम्; विन्यस्येद्यः = विन्यस्येत् + यः
FAQs
It teaches the purifying power of sacred recitation: even a single utterance can destroy upapātakas (minor sins), and correct, syllable-by-syllable recitation combined with nyāsa deepens the rite’s efficacy.
It implies knowing and preserving the correct phonetics for each syllable—especially vowels/intonation—so the mantra or sacred formula is pronounced accurately rather than approximately.
The verse emphasizes sincerity and disciplined practice: purification is linked not only to repetition, but also to mindful accuracy and embodied devotion (nyāsa), encouraging careful spiritual conduct.