Shloka 181
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
कपिलं मुक्तिदं धृत्वा ममतुल्य बलो भवेत् । लक्षकोटिसहस्राणि ब्रह्महत्याः करोति यः
kapilaṃ muktidaṃ dhṛtvā mamatulya balo bhavet | lakṣakoṭisahasrāṇi brahmahatyāḥ karoti yaḥ
Dengan menanggung Kapila yang mengurniakan moksha, seseorang menjadi kuat setara denganku. Tetapi sesiapa yang melakukan pembunuhan brahmana, menanggung dosa brahmahatya berlipat ratus ribu kali dalam hitungan laksa dan krore.
Unclear from single-verse context (likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue typical of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa).
Concept: A liberating sacred ‘Kapila’ (object/form) is praised as granting immense strength and mokṣa-leaning merit, while brahmahatyā is portrayed as massively compounding sin.
Application: Treat brahmin-harm (and by extension harm to teachers, knowledge, and the vulnerable) as spiritually catastrophic; seek purification through authorized devotion, charity, and restraint rather than shortcuts.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Kapila emblem—either the sage Kapila seated in meditation or a consecrated golden seal bearing his mark—shines on the devotee’s chest like a protective sun. Opposite, a dark storm-cloud mass labeled by symbolism (broken sacred thread, fallen altar fire) represents the crushing weight of brahmahatyā, creating a stark moral contrast.","primary_figures":["Sage Kapila (avatāra-like) or Kapila emblem","a devotee bearing the emblem","symbolic figure of brahmahatyā as a dark shadow"],"setting":"a threshold scene between a quiet hermitage and a stormy wasteland, emphasizing choice and consequence","lighting_mood":"contrast of radiant glow and ominous shadow","color_palette":["radiant gold","sage-ash white","storm indigo","saffron","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Kapila seated on a lotus with gold-leaf aura, devotee wearing a shining pendant; on the side, a darkened panel with symbolic brahmahatyā motifs; rich reds/greens, ornate border, gem-studded highlights on the pendant and halo.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Kapila as serene ascetic with delicate features, soft riverbank-hermitage behind; the ‘sin’ side shown as dark clouds and broken ritual symbols; subtle storytelling with refined brushwork and restrained drama.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Kapila rendered with bold outlines and warm pigments, large calm eyes; devotee in folded hands; brahmahatyā symbolized by a black swirling form with broken yajña implements; temple-wall didactic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Kapila on a lotus amid floral borders; the devotee centered with a glowing emblem; the negative side abstracted into dark vine-like patterns creeping toward the border but halted by a golden lotus chain; deep blue ground with gold and saffron accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low drone","single bell strikes","wind-like hush","conch shell (brief)","grave silence after ‘brahmahatyā’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ममतुल्य = मम + तुल्यः (here agreeing with बलः). लक्षकोटिसहस्राणि treated as a collective compound; brahmahatyāḥ = ब्रह्म + हत्याः.
FAQs
In Purāṇic usage, ‘Kapila’ can denote a sacred being or, very commonly, the kapilā (tawny) cow regarded as highly meritorious to keep, gift, or protect; the epithet ‘muktidam’ (“giver of liberation”) points to its exceptional religious merit.
The verse contrasts actions that elevate (supporting a sacred, liberating duty associated with ‘Kapila’) with actions that gravely degrade (brahmahatyā), underscoring the Purāṇic ethic that protection of dharma-bearing beings and avoidance of violence against brāhmaṇas are central moral imperatives.
Such large numerals are a Purāṇic rhetorical intensifier, stressing the extreme severity and compounding consequences of brahmahatyā rather than functioning as a literal arithmetic tally.