Shloka 8

Aghora-Mantra Japa: Graded Expiations, Pañcagavya Purification, and Homa for Mahāpātaka-Nivṛtti

Devanagari script

चतुर्गुणं बुद्धिपूर्वे क्रोधादष्टगुणं स्मृतम् वीरहा लक्षमात्रेण भ्रूणहा कोटिमभ्यसेत्

Transliteration

caturguṇaṃ buddhipūrve krodhādaṣṭaguṇaṃ smṛtam vīrahā lakṣamātreṇa bhrūṇahā koṭimabhyaset

Translation

The expiation is said to be fourfold when a deed is done with prior deliberation; but when it is committed out of anger, it is remembered as eightfold. One who has slain a hero should undertake the prescribed practice to the measure of one hundred thousand; but one who has slain an embryo should undertake it to the measure of ten million.

Word by Word

• चतुर्गुणम्: fourfold

• बुद्धिपूर्वे: when preceded by deliberation/intent

• क्रोधात्: from anger

• अष्टगुणम्: eightfold

• स्मृतम्: is declared/remembered (in Smṛti)

• वीरहा: slayer of a hero/valiant man

• लक्षमात्रेण: by the measure of one lakh (100,000)

• भ्रूणहा: slayer of an embryo (bhrūṇa)

• कोटिम्: ten million (a koṭi)

• अभ्यसेत्: should practice/undertake repeatedly (the expiation)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional dharma and prāyaścitta standards to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames purification as a prerequisite for approaching Linga-pūjā: the pashu (bound soul) reduces pāśa (bondage of karma) through disciplined expiation, becoming fit for Śiva’s grace (Pati).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it presents Śiva as the purifier and final refuge: while karma binds through intention and anger, purification and restraint prepare the seeker for Śiva’s anugraha (grace) that loosens bondage.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A graded prāyaścitta involving repeated disciplined practice (abhyāsa)—typically tapas, japa, vrata, and Śiva-oriented worship—scaled to the severity and mental cause (deliberation vs anger) of the act.