Shloka 10
Viṣṇu as the Embodied Purāṇas and the Merit of Hearing the Svarga-khaṇḍa
स्वर्गखंडं समाकर्ण्य महापातकिनोपि ये । मुच्यंते तेपि पापेभ्यस्त्वचो जीर्णाद्यथोरगाः
svargakhaṃḍaṃ samākarṇya mahāpātakinopi ye | mucyaṃte tepi pāpebhyastvaco jīrṇādyathoragāḥ
स्वर्गखण्डं समाकर्ण्य महापातकिनोऽपि ये केचन। मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि पापेभ्यः, यथा जीर्णत्वचोऽथोरगाः।
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator within Svarga-khaṇḍa 62)
Concept: No one is beyond purification: hearing the Svarga-khaṇḍa removes even mahāpātaka sins, like a snake shedding old skin.
Application: Do not despair over past actions; begin with consistent listening/recitation and ethical repair—renewal is possible through sustained contact with sacred narrative.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dark, burdened figure sits listening as the Svarga-khaṇḍa is recited; from their body a shadowy ‘old skin’ peels away like a serpent’s slough, dissolving into ash that becomes lotus pollen. Nearby, a serpent peacefully sheds its worn skin beside a river-stone, mirroring the listener’s inner renewal under the glow of lamp and mantra.","primary_figures":["reciter (paṇḍita)","penitent listener (symbolic mahāpātakin)","serpent (symbolic)","Vishnu (subtle protective aura)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard at twilight with oil lamps, a small stone platform for recitation, and a quiet natural corner where the serpent sheds skin.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["amber lamp-gold","deep indigo","ash grey","lotus white","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Twilight mandapa with bright gold-leaf lamp halos; a listener shedding a dark translucent ‘skin’ layer, rendered with dramatic contrast; a serpent beside a stone shedding its slough; ornate borders, rich reds/greens, embossed gold on sacred manuscript and halos, devotional iconography emphasizing grace and purification.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Quiet twilight satsang; delicate depiction of a serpent shedding skin near a rock; the listener’s aura lightens as a faint grey layer lifts away; soft indigo sky, warm lamp pools, refined faces, gentle naturalism and emotional restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Bold outlines; central reciter and listener; stylized serpent shedding skin as a clear emblem; the ‘old skin’ shown as a patterned dark layer peeling off; red-yellow-green palette with strong lamp motifs and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Symbolic composition—serpent shedding skin at the bottom border, while above a mandala of lotus-akṣaras descends onto the listener; deep blue ground with gold and white detailing; ornate floral borders, symmetrical devotional arrangement, intricate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["steady tanpura","soft bell at verse end","night insects/birds","gentle hush of listeners"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महापातकिनोपि = महापातकिनः + अपि; तेपि = ते + अपि; पापेभ्यस्त्वचः = पापेभ्यः + त्वचः; जीर्णाद्यथा = जीर्णात् + यथा; यथोरगाः = यथा + उरगाः.
FAQs
It teaches that śravaṇa (devotional listening) to the Svarga-khaṇḍa has purificatory power, capable of removing even severe sin (mahā-pātaka).
The metaphor conveys complete renewal: as a snake leaves behind an old skin, the listener leaves behind accumulated sin, implying a decisive and visible separation from past impurity.
In Purāṇic ethics, such statements typically glorify sacred hearing while still presuming repentance and a turn toward dharma; the emphasis is on transformation rather than permission to sin.