Talk:Bhrunahatya
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
bhruṇahatyā (‘killing the foetus’) The topics of puṇya (merit or virtue) and pāpa (demerit or sin) have been dealt with in great detail in the purāṇas and the dharmaśāstras. The origin of these concepts can be found even in the Rgveda. Pāpas (also called patakas) or sins have been classified as mahāpātakas (hei¬nous sins) and upapātakas (minor sins). ‘Bhruṇahatyā’ is one of the sins included in these lists. The word ‘bhraṇa’ has three senses: (1) a learned brāhmaṇa; (2) a brāhmaṇa who is a Vedic student and (3) the foetus or the unborn baby. In all these senses, bhruṇahatyā has been listed as a heinous sin, with practically no expiation.