Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 5
Indra’s Brahma-hatyā, Flight from Sin, and Purification by Aśvamedha
इन्द्र उवाच स्त्रीभूद्रुमजलैरेनो विश्वरूपवधोद्भवम् । विभक्तमनुगृह्णद्भिर्वृत्रहत्यां क्व मार्ज्म्यहम् ॥ ५ ॥
indra uvāca strī-bhū-druma-jalair eno viśvarūpa-vadhodbhavam vibhaktam anugṛhṇadbhir vṛtra-hatyāṁ kva mārjmy aham
Indra disse: Quando matei Viśvarūpa, recebi vastas reações pecaminosas; mas, pela benevolência das mulheres, da terra, das árvores e das águas, o pecado foi dividido. Agora, se eu matar Vṛtrāsura, outro brāhmaṇa, como me livrarei dessas reações?
FAQs
This verse shows Indra seeking purification even after partial relief—highlighting that grave karmic reactions require sincere atonement and higher divine arrangement for cleansing.
Although the sin from killing Viśvarūpa was mercifully distributed among women, earth, trees, and water, Indra still feared the remaining reaction from killing Vṛtra and thus asked about further purification.
Like Indra, one should not minimize wrongdoing; instead, seek genuine rectification—accept responsibility, pursue purification through sincere spiritual practice, and avoid repeating the offense.