Shloka 158
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
यत्पापं नरहत्यायां बहुसत्त्वेषु वेश्मसु । तत्सर्वं दहते शीघ्रं चतुर्वक्त्रस्य धारणात्
yatpāpaṃ narahatyāyāṃ bahusattveṣu veśmasu | tatsarvaṃ dahate śīghraṃ caturvaktrasya dhāraṇāt
บาปใดเกิดจากการฆ่ามนุษย์ และบาปใดเกิดจากการอาศัยอยู่ในเรือนที่แออัดด้วยสัตว์มีชีวิตมากมาย—การทรงไว้ซึ่งการระลึก/เครื่องหมายแห่งพระผู้มีสี่พักตร์ ย่อมเผาผลาญบาปทั้งสิ้นโดยเร็ว
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Even grave impurities are burned swiftly by dhāraṇa of Caturvaktra (Brahmā)—a doctrine of transformative sacred remembrance/insignia overriding accumulated demerit when done with faith and discipline.
Application: Adopt a daily practice of sacred remembrance (japa, dhyāna) and visible commitment (tilaka/maṅgala-dhāraṇa) as a restraint against harm; pair it with restitution and non-violence in household life.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A penitent householder stands before a small shrine, holding a sacred emblem close to the heart while a subtle flame-like aura rises and dissolves dark smoke representing pāpa. In the background, a humble home shows tiny creatures safely relocated, signaling renewed ahiṃsā and careful living.","primary_figures":["Householder devotee","Caturvaktra Brahmā (visionary presence)","Agni-like purifying aura (symbolic)"],"setting":"Domestic courtyard shrine with tulasī pot absent/neutral; focus on emblem and inner purification","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky charcoal","lamp gold","copper orange","ivory white","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a devotee in añjali before a small altar, a radiant four-faced Brahmā appearing above with gold leaf halo, stylized flames consuming dark sin-clouds, rich reds and greens, ornate jewelry on the deity, embossed gold detailing on the aura and altar arch.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet domestic repentance scene, delicate lines showing a faint luminous Brahmā-vision, soft gradients of smoke dissolving into light, refined facial expressions of remorse turning to peace, cool earthy palette with gentle lamp glow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of the devotee and a large iconic Caturmukha Brahmā, swirling flame motifs as purification, strong red/yellow/green pigments, symmetrical shrine framing, decorative borders with lotus and geometric patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic purification tableau with ornate floral borders, central glowing deity-vision, stylized smoke-to-light transformation, deep indigo ground with gold highlights, lotus motifs suggesting inner rebirth, intricate textile-like patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["oil lamp crackle","low temple bell","soft conch in distance","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yatpāpam = yat + pāpam; tatsarvaṃ = tat + sarvam.
FAQs
It refers to Brahmā, traditionally depicted with four faces, symbolizing comprehensive knowledge and the Vedas.
Dhāraṇā literally means “bearing/holding.” In Purāṇic usage it can include sustained remembrance/meditation, or bearing an emblem/name/form connected with the deity; the verse emphasizes the purifying efficacy of such devotion.
It underscores both the gravity of harmful actions (like violence) and the Purāṇic idea that sincere devotional practice and disciplined remembrance can rapidly purify and redirect a person toward dharma.