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
سورگ کھنڈ کو توجہ سے سن کر بڑے بڑے گناہگار بھی—جو کوئی بھی ہوں—اپنے گناہوں سے رہائی پاتے ہیں؛ جیسے سانپ پرانی کھال سے چھوٹ جاتا ہے۔
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.