Verse 11.251

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

हविष्पान्तीयमभ्यस्य न तमं ह इतीति च ।
जपित्वा पौरुषं सूक्तं मुच्यते गुरुतल्पगः ॥ २५१ ॥

haviṣpāntīyamabhyasya na tamaṃ ha itīti ca |
japitvā pauruṣaṃ sūktaṃ mucyate gurutalpagaḥ || 251 ||

The Violator of the Preceptor’s Bed becomes absolved by repeating the ‘Haviṣpāntīya Hymn,’ (Ṛgveda, 10.88.1), the verse beginning with ‘na tamam ha’ (Ṛgveda, 10.126) and that beginning with ‘iti’ (Ṛgveda, 10.119),—and by reciting the ‘Puruṣasūkta’ (Ṛgveda, 10.90.1)—(251)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘Itīti’—the first ‘iti’ is the opening word of the text referred to, and the second ‘iti’ is meant to show that the former is the opening word of a text;—and it serves to show that a different text is meant. Thus it is that we get at the indication of a particular sacred text.

‘Pauruṣa-Sūkta’—is the hymn consisting of sixteen verses, beginning with the word ‘sahasraśīrṣā.’—(251)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Mitākṣarā (3.305), which says that this refers to cases of unintentional offences;—and in Parāśaramādhava (Prāyaścitta, p. 458).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Yājñavalkya (3.304).—‘By reciting the Sahasraśīrṣā hymn, the violator of the Guru’s bed becomes freed from sin; and afterwards a milch cow should be given away.’

Vaśiṣṭha (26.7).—‘The violator of the Guru’s bed is freed from sin if he repeatedly recites the hymn beginning with “Haviṣpāntam ajaram,” that beginning with “Na tam aṃhaḥ,” and the Puruṣa-hymn.’

Viṣṇu (55.6).—‘The violator of the Guru’s bed becomes free from sin by fasting for three days and reciting the Puruṣa-hymn and, at the same time, offering Homa.’