Shloka 152
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
यत्पापं लभते मर्त्यः सर्वं नश्यति तत्क्षणात् । यत्फलं वह्निपूजायामग्निकार्ये घृताहुतौ
yatpāpaṃ labhate martyaḥ sarvaṃ naśyati tatkṣaṇāt | yatphalaṃ vahnipūjāyāmagnikārye ghṛtāhutau
Welche Sünde auch immer ein Sterblicher erwirbt—sie wird in eben diesem Augenblick gänzlich vernichtet; so ist die Frucht des Verdienstes aus der Verehrung des Feuers, aus dem Feuer-Ritus und aus der Darbringung von Ghee als Opfergabe.
Unspecified (context needed to attribute; likely within a narrator-to-listener dialogue typical of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Agni-upāsanā and ghṛtāhuti in prescribed fire-rites have immediate pāpa-kṣaya potency.
Application: Maintain daily sacred discipline: even small, sincere offerings (lamp, homa, or symbolic ghee offering where appropriate) paired with ethical living are framed as powerful purifiers.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet yajña-śālā where a disciplined householder-sage offers a thin stream of ghee into a bright, steady sacrificial flame. As the oblation rises, smoky-golden spirals form subtle glyph-like patterns, suggesting sins dissolving instantly into light, while unseen devas receive the offering through Agni’s mouth.","primary_figures":["Agni (personified within the flame)","a dhīra yajamāna (steadfast sacrificer)","ṛtvij priest"],"setting":"Vedic fire-altar with kuśa grass, ladles, ghee pot, and a low wooden seat; minimalistic hermitage courtyard beyond.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron flame-orange","ghee-gold","ash white","ruddy copper","smoke-gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central blazing Agni rising from a square homa-kuṇḍa, the yajamāna offering ghṛta with a golden ladle; heavy gold leaf embellishment on the flame tongues and altar borders, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on ritual vessels, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, halo-like aureole around the fire as divine mouth.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate yajña scene in a forest hermitage courtyard, delicate brushwork showing thin ghee stream into a luminous flame; cool natural background with soft greens and browns, refined faces of priest and yajamāna, lyrical smoke curling into pale gold, subtle Himalayan foothill silhouettes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines framing a stylized homa-kuṇḍa and towering flame with anthropomorphic Agni visage; natural pigment palette with dominant reds, yellows, and greens; large expressive eyes for the priestly figures, temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental borders of lotus and vine motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional fire-rite tableau framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; deep indigo background with gold highlights; central homa fire rendered as a divine lotus-flame, attendants and ritual vessels arranged symmetrically, peacocks at the border corners, ornate textile patterns throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["crackling fire","soft mantra undertone","temple bells (distant)","night insects or early birds","brief silence after each pāda"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्पापं = यत् + पापम् (त् + प); तत्क्षणात् = तत् + क्षणात् (त् + क्ष); यत्फलं = यत् + फलम् (त् + फ); वह्निपूजायामग्निकार्ये = वह्निपूजायाम् + अग्निकार्ये (म् + अ → म).
FAQs
The verse praises worship of Agni (Fire) and fire-rites, especially the offering of ghee (ghṛta-āhuti), as generating merit that destroys sin immediately.
It teaches that sincere, dharmic ritual action—symbolized by Agni worship and ghee oblations—can purify one’s accumulated wrongdoing and encourage a return to righteous conduct.
Yes. It explicitly refers to Fire as “vahni” (Agni), highlighting the sanctity of Agni-related worship and rites.