Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्यादिकं किंचिद् यदत्रामुत्र वा कृतम् पितृभिर्भ्रातृभिर्वापि तत्सर्वं नाशमाप्नुयात् //

Transliteration

brahmahatyādikaṃ kiṃcid yadatrāmutra vā kṛtam pitṛbhirbhrātṛbhirvāpi tatsarvaṃ nāśamāpnuyāt //

Translation

Any sin—beginning with brahmahatyā, the slaying of a brāhmaṇa—whether committed here (in this life) or in another existence, whether by one’s fathers/ancestors or even by one’s brothers, all of it would be destroyed, completely annulled.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या-आदिकम् (brahmahatyā-ādikam): brahmin-slaying and similar grave sins

• किंचित् (kiṃcit): any, even a little

• यत् (yat): which/whatever

• अत्र (atra): here (in this world/this life)

• अमुत्र (amutra): there (in the other world/another existence)

• वा (vā): or

• कृतम् (kṛtam): done/committed

• पितृभिः (pitṛbhiḥ): by fathers/ancestors

• भ्रातृभिः (bhrātṛbhiḥ): by brothers

• वा अपि (vā api): or even

• तत् सर्वम् (tat sarvam): all that

• नाशम् (nāśam): destruction/cessation

• आप्नुयात् (āpnuyāt): would attain/would reach (i.e., would be removed).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical to this discourse section)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmahatya (brahmin-slaying)
• Pitrs (ancestors)
• Bhratrs (brothers)

Tags

• Prayashchitta
• Dharma
• Sin-removal
• Ancestral karma
• Punya

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya; it uses the idea of “destruction” (nāśa) in an ethical sense—complete dissolution of sins through purifying merit or expiation.

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

It supports the Purāṇic ethic that a householder (and by extension a king responsible for public dharma) should perform purifying rites and meritorious acts that can annul even severe sins affecting one’s family line, emphasizing responsibility toward ancestors and kin.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the doctrine of powerful purification—acts of merit/atonement can eradicate even grave sins attributed to oneself or close relations.