Shloka 139

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्यासहस्राणि भ्रूणहत्यार्बुदानि च कोटिहोमेन नश्यन्ति यथावच्छिवभाषितम् //

Transliteration

brahmahatyāsahasrāṇi bhrūṇahatyārbudāni ca koṭihomena naśyanti yathāvacchivabhāṣitam //

Translation

Thousands of sins equal to brahma-hatyā (brahman-slaying) and tens of millions of foeticides are destroyed by performing a koṭi-homa—just as Śiva has declared, fully and in proper measure.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या: brahma-hatyā (killing of a Brāhmaṇa / the grave sin called brahmahatyā)

• सहस्राणि: thousands

• भ्रूणहत्या: bhrūṇa-hatyā (killing of an embryo/foetus)

• अर्बुदानि: arbuda (a vast number

• च: and

• कोटिहोमेन: by a koṭi-homa (a ‘crore’/vast-number fire-offering rite)

• नश्यन्ति: are destroyed, perish

• यथावत्: properly, as it truly is, in due form

• शिवभाषितम्: spoken/declared by Śiva

Speaker

• Narratorial voice within the Matsya Purana (teaching framed as Śiva’s authoritative statement)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Brahmahatya
• Bhrunahatya
• Koti-homa

Tags

• Prayascitta
• Yajna
• Homa
• Shaiva-teaching
• Dharma

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not address pralaya; it focuses on prāyaścitta (expiation), asserting that an immense homa can eradicate even the gravest sins.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It supports the dharmic ideal that grievous wrongdoing requires serious ritual atonement; rulers and householders are urged to uphold purity through prescribed expiations and major sacrifices when transgressions occur.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights the koṭi-homa—an extraordinarily large-scale fire-offering—as a supreme expiatory act, presented with Śiva’s doctrinal authority.