Varaha Purana 136.44: Adhyaya 136, Shloka 44

A Sūtra-like Manual of Expiations for Ritual Transgressions

Devanagari script

सततं पापसम्पन्नं कपालं शिरसि स्थितम् ॥ ऋषिः पातयितुं शक्तस्त्वत्प्रसादान्न सशङ्क्यः ॥

Recitation with translationVaraha Purana 136.44

Transliteration

satataṁ pāpasampannaṁ kapālaṁ śirasi sthitam || ṛṣiḥ pātayituṁ śaktas tvatprasādān na saśaṅkyaḥ ||

Translation

Der Schädel, fortwährend mit Sünde beladen, bleibt auf deinem Haupt; der ṛṣi vermag ihn herabfallen zu lassen — durch deine Gnade ist daran nicht zu zweifeln.

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Word by Word

• satatam: continually

• pāpa-sampannam: filled with sin

• kapālam: skull/skull-bowl

• śirasi: on the head

• sthitam: situated

• ṛṣiḥ: sage

• pātayitum: to cause to fall/remove

• śaktaḥ: capable

• tvat-prasādāt: by your favor

• na: not

• saśaṅkyaḥ: to be doubted

Speaker

Varāha (default dialogue framework)

Tags

• Classical Literature
• Atonement Motifs
• Śaiva Symbolism

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

The “kapāla on the head” motif is a recognizable narrative sign of burden and expiation, enabling comparative study with related Purāṇic and epic accounts.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is named in this verse; it focuses on the symbolic burden and the agency of a sage.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse conveys that entrenched fault (kilbiṣa/pāpa) can be removed through proper guidance and sanctioned means within a ritual-ethical framework.