Shloka 9
Dāna-vrata and the Tīrtha Circuit of Venkaṭādri
Snāna, Mantra, Naivedya
ब्रह्महत्यायाश्च रुद्रो नागो दत्तापहारकः / सूतस्य हननाद्रामो निर्मुक्तो ह्यत्र भामिनि
brahmahatyāyāśca rudro nāgo dattāpahārakaḥ / sūtasya hananādrāmo nirmukto hyatra bhāmini
ब्रह्महत्येच्या पापातून रुद्रही मुक्त झाले; दत्तापहाराच्या पापातून नाग मुक्त झाला; आणि हे भामिनि! सूत-हननाच्या पापातून रामही येथे मुक्त झाले.
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra; the vocative 'bhāmini' reflects a quoted/embedded address within the narration as preserved in some recensions)
Concept: Tīrtha and prescribed acts can neutralize even grave karmic demerit; repentance and purification are efficacious.
Vedantic Theme: Grace and purification as removing obstacles (mala) so the self can turn toward higher realization; karma is transformable through dharmic means.
Application: Do not despair after wrongdoing; seek corrective action—confession, restitution, prāyaścitta, and sincere purification practices—rather than fatalism.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: prāyaścitta and tīrtha-snānāni as pāpa-kṣaya (general internal alignment); Garuda Purana Preta-kalpa: heavy pāpa leads to intense suffering; hence urgency of expiation
FAQs
The verse highlights that even the heaviest sins—such as brahmin-slaying or stealing back a gift—are described as removable through a powerful sacred context (a holy place/rite) when approached with proper dharma.
It presents karmic burdens as real but not irreversible, emphasizing that purification and release (nirmukti) are possible through sanctioned spiritual means, aligning conduct with dharma.
Avoid unethical gain (especially retracting gifts) and seek correction through sincere repentance, restitution, and disciplined religious practice rather than despairing over past actions.