Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 5
नैमित्तिकविधिक्रमः
Occasional Rites and Their Procedure
ब्रह्महत्यादिदोषाणामतीव महतामपि । निष्कृतिर्ब्रह्मकूर्चस्य पानान्नान्या विशिष्यते
brahmahatyādidoṣāṇāmatīva mahatāmapi | niṣkṛtirbrahmakūrcasya pānānnānyā viśiṣyate
برہمن ہتیا وغیرہ جیسے نہایت بڑے گناہوں کے لیے بھی برہماکُورچ ورت میں مقررہ پینے سے بڑھ کر کوئی کفّارہ افضل نہیں مانا گیا۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: General prāyaścitta teaching: the ‘drinking’ (pāna) of brahmakūrca-prasāda is praised as unsurpassed expiation even for mahāpātakas like brahmahatyā, emphasizing Śiva’s role as Paśupati who cuts the bonds of pāśa.
Significance: Frames Śiva-bhakti and Śiva-prasāda as exceptionally purifying; encourages repentance and disciplined observance rather than despair over grave faults.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that even the heaviest karmic stains can be purified through a disciplined expiatory observance, emphasizing inner cleansing and restraint as a means to loosen bondage (pāśa) and reorient the soul toward Shiva (Pati).
Expiation is presented as preparation for worthy Shiva-worship: purification of conduct and mind supports steadiness in devotion to Saguna Shiva (such as Linga worship), making worship a transformative practice rather than a mere ritual.
The verse points to the Brahmakūrca prayashchitta, specifically the prescribed pāna (ritual drinking) as part of the vow; in Shaiva practice this is ideally accompanied by repentance, self-restraint, and japa of Shiva’s names (e.g., Om Namah Shivaya) to stabilize purification.