Brāhmanahatya

Brāhmanahatya (also known as Brahma Hatya) is the Sanskrit term for "the act of killing a Brahmin".

Legend

In a story involving Indra and Vritra, Brāhmahatya is portrayed as a hideous crime. The killer and his/her descendants thereafter bear a curse. It is not limited to the killing of a Brahmin but extends to the harming or killing of all those creatures that may be considered sacred and equivalent to a Brahmin.[1]

Hindu scriptures prescribe japa, tapa, homa, yagya, tarpan, shradh kriya and Brahma dosha nivarana pooja as means to get rid of the curse. Triambaka pooja at Triyambakeshwara and pinda daan at Gaya are also suggested.

The Tiruvidaimaruthur Shiva temple has an idol for Brahmahatya and the legend of this temple is associated with the curse.[2]

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See also

References
  1. Sattar, Arshia (21 September 2017). "Retribution for no sin". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  2. "Tiruvidaimarudhur Shiva Temple for Brahma Hatya Dosha Nivarthi at Kumbakonam". Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.


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