Shloka 39
Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas: Liquor, Theft, Sexual Transgression, Contact with the Fallen, and Homicide
ब्रह्महत्याव्रतं वापि षण्मासानाचरेद् यमी / मुच्यते ह्यवकीर्णो तु ब्राह्मणानुमते स्थितः
brahmahatyāvrataṃ vāpi ṣaṇmāsānācared yamī / mucyate hyavakīrṇo tu brāhmaṇānumate sthitaḥ
அல்லது யமநியமம் கொண்டவன் ஆறு மாதங்கள் பிரம்மஹத்த்யா-பிராயச்சித்த விரதத்தை அனுஷ்டிக்கட்டும்; பிராமணர்களின் அனுமதிக்கேற்ப நிலைத்திருந்தால், பெருந்தோஷத்தால் களங்கமுற்றவனும் விடுபடுவான்.
Sūta (narrating the dharma-teaching as received from the sages of the Kūrma Purāṇa tradition)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
This verse is primarily dharma-oriented (prāyaścitta) rather than metaphysical; it implies that inner discipline (yamā/saṃyama) and right conduct restore purity, which is a prerequisite for steady realization of the Self in the broader Purāṇic path.
It highlights yama/saṃyama—self-restraint and disciplined living—as the practical ‘yogic’ foundation supporting expiation: sustained vow-observance for six months, guided by orthodox authority (brāhmaṇa-anumati).
Indirectly: the Kurma Purana’s synthesis treats ethical purification and vow-based discipline as universally valid across Shaiva-Vaishnava frameworks; such prāyaścitta supports devotion and practice whether oriented to Śiva (Pāśupata) or Viṣṇu (Kūrma/Nārāyaṇa).