Shloka 146
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
यदि मेनुग्रहोवास्ति कथयस्व यथार्थतः । ईश्वर उवाच । एकवक्त्रः शिवः साक्षाद्ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति
yadi menugrahovāsti kathayasva yathārthataḥ | īśvara uvāca | ekavaktraḥ śivaḥ sākṣādbrahmahatyāṃ vyapohati
„Wenn du mir wahrhaftig gnädig bist, so sage mir die Wahrheit genau.“ Īśvara sprach: „Śiva, mit einem einzigen Antlitz offenbar, tilgt unmittelbar die Sünde der brahma-hatyā (die Tötung eines Brāhmaṇa).“
Īśvara (Śiva)
Concept: The one-faced rudrākṣa, identified with Śiva, is declared capable of removing even the grave sin of brahma-hatyā—emphasizing the extraordinary purificatory power attributed to sacred association with īśvara.
Application: Do not trivialize grave wrongdoing; instead, take the verse as a call to repentance, truthful confession, and disciplined reform, using sacred practice as a catalyst for ethical transformation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Īśvara sits as a solemn teacher, raising a hand in assurance while indicating a single-faced rudrākṣa bead placed on a clean white cloth. A dark, smoky stain symbolizing brahma-hatyā dissolves into light around the bead, conveying absolution through divine association and truthful instruction.","primary_figures":["Īśvara (Śiva)","questioner devotee/sage","single-faced rudrākṣa bead"],"setting":"Quiet teaching hall near a sanctum, with bilva leaves, a trident motif, and a ritual water pot arranged neatly.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ash white","sapphire blue","smoldering charcoal","vermilion","radiant gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva as Īśvara seated frontally with gold leaf halo and ornate arch; a single rudrākṣa bead displayed prominently on a pedestal cloth; symbolic dark ‘sin’ cloud dissolving into gold light; rich maroon/emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, embossed gold borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate guru-disciple scene; Śiva calm and compassionate, the bead rendered with precise grooves; a subtle visual metaphor of darkness lifting into pale gold; cool blues and ash tones, refined faces, gentle forested background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Śiva with bold outlines and expressive eyes; the single bead enlarged as a sacred emblem; stylized dark-to-light gradient around it; natural pigments with red/yellow/green and ash-white highlights, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central sacred emblem (single rudrākṣa) framed by lotus borders; Śiva as teacher in deep blue field with gold accents; intricate floral patterns, peacocks in corners, rhythmic ornamentation emphasizing purification and auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["deep temple bell","conch shell (single blow)","low mridangam pulse","silence after key phrase"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अनुग्रहः + वा + अस्ति = अनुग्रहो वाऽस्ति (सन्धिः; ओ + वा, वाऽस्ति)। साक्षात् + ब्रह्महत्याम् = साक्षाद्ब्रह्महत्याम् (त् + भ → द्भ)।
FAQs
The verse explicitly marks “īśvara uvāca,” indicating Īśvara (Śiva) is speaking. The preceding line is a request for truthful instruction (“kathayasva yathārthataḥ”), framing the statement as an authoritative reply about expiation.
It states that Śiva in a single-faced manifestation directly dispels or removes the grave sin called brahma-hatyā (killing a brāhmaṇa), presenting Śiva’s form as a means of purification/expiation.
The verse foregrounds sincerity and precision in spiritual inquiry: one should seek and receive instruction truthfully (yathārthataḥ), especially regarding serious ethical transgressions and their remedies.