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

ଯାହାର ଦୋଷ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ହୋଇନାହିଁ, ସେ ଗୁପ୍ତ ବ୍ରତ ଆଚରଣ କରୁ। ତିନି ରାତି ଉପବାସ କରି ‘ଅଘମର୍ଷଣ’ ମନ୍ତ୍ର ଜପ କଲେ, ବ୍ରହ୍ମହତ୍ୟାକାରୀ ମଧ୍ୟ ପାପରୁ ଶୁଦ୍ଧ ହୁଏ।

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.