Shloka 50

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

असंविख्यातदोषस्तु रहस्यं व्रतमाचरेत् / त्रिरात्रोपोषणो जप्त्वा ब्रह्महा त्वघमर्षणम्

Transliteration

asaṃvikhyātadoṣastu rahasyaṃ vratamācaret / trirātropoṣaṇo japtvā brahmahā tvaghamarṣaṇam

Translation

Namun, sesiapa yang dosanya belum diketahui umum hendaklah mengamalkan vrata secara rahsia. Dengan berpuasa tiga malam dan melafazkan himne Aghamarṣaṇa, bahkan pembunuh brāhmaṇa pun disucikan daripada dosa.

Word by Word

• असंविख्यातदोषः: one whose fault is not publicly known
• असंविख्यातदोषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (नञ्) + सं + वि + ख्या (धातु) → संविख्यात (कृदन्त, क्त) + दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/प्रथमा), एकवचन — Nominative singular; समासः कर्मधारयः (असंविख्यातः दोषः यस्य)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय — particle (contrast/emphasis)

• रहस्यम्: secret
• रहस्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रहस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular; विशेषण (secret)

• व्रतम्: vow; observance
• व्रतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• आचरेत्: should practice
• आचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — should practice/undertake

• त्रिरात्रोपोषणः: one observing a three-night fast
• त्रिरात्रोपोषणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या) + रात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उपोषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/प्रथमा), एकवचन — Nominative singular; समासः तत्पुरुषः (त्रिरात्रे उपोषणम् यस्य/त्रिरात्र-उपोषणः)

• जप्त्वा: having recited
• जप्त्वा: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) — having recited

• ब्रह्महा: a Brahmin-slayer
• ब्रह्महा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + हन् (धातु) → ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/प्रथमा), एकवचन — Nominative singular; समासः उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः हन्ता)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय — particle

• अघमर्षणम्: the Aghamarṣaṇa (sin-destroying) hymn
• अघमर्षणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघ (प्रातिपदिक) + मर्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/द्वितीया), एकवचन — Accusative singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अघस्य मर्षणम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even grave sin can be attenuated through prescribed tapas (trirātra-upoṣaṇa) and mantra (Aghamarṣaṇa) when undertaken properly.

Vedantic Theme: Śuddhi (purification) as preparation for higher knowledge; mantra-tapas as means to burn karmic residue.

Application: For private faults, adopt sincere, disciplined repentance: short fasts, mantra-japa, and ethical reform—without performative display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (rahasya-vrata; aghamarṣaṇa usage)

FAQs

What is the importance of a ‘secret vow’ (rahasya vrata) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that when a sin is not publicly known, one should perform a confidential expiation—focused on inner repentance, fasting, and sacred recitation—rather than public display.

How does this verse describe purification from grave sins like brahmahatyā?

It teaches that disciplined austerity (three-night fast) combined with the Aghamarṣaṇa recitation is presented as a powerful purificatory practice, emphasizing sincere atonement and mantra-based cleansing.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt private, sincere repentance: disciplined fasting or restraint (as health permits), daily mantra/japa or prayer, and a commitment to ethical repair—without turning atonement into public performance.