Shloka 43
तथा मन्वंतराख्यायामन्यस्यां पुण्यसंस्थितौ । ग्रहणे चंद्रसूर्यस्य पुण्यतीर्थे गयादिषु
tathā manvaṃtarākhyāyāmanyasyāṃ puṇyasaṃsthitau | grahaṇe caṃdrasūryasya puṇyatīrthe gayādiṣu
وكذلك في زمنٍ مقدّس آخر يُسمّى مَنْفَنْتَرَة، وعند كسوف القمر والشمس، إذا كان المرء ثابتاً على الطهارة والبرّ—وخاصةً في التيِرْثَات المقدّسة مثل غايا وما شابهها—يتحصّل على فضلٍ عظيم.
Unspecified (context required; likely within a Purāṇic dialogue narration in Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Merit is heightened when one performs sacred acts during extraordinary times (manvantara-parva, solar/lunar eclipses) at powerful pilgrimage sites like Gayā.
Application: If travel is possible, choose a major tīrtha for ancestral rites; if not, treat eclipse times with sobriety—japa, dāna, remembrance—avoiding distraction and cultivating inner purity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An eclipse darkens the sky over Gayā: the sun is partially veiled, casting an uncanny twilight over the Phalgu riverbed and the Viṣṇupada temple silhouette. Pilgrims in simple white perform piṇḍa and tarpaṇa with sesame and water, while a subtle divine footprint motif glows on a stone slab, suggesting Viṣṇu’s protective presence amid the cosmic shadow.","primary_figures":["pilgrims performing śrāddha/tarpaṇa","Pitṛs (subtle forms)","Viṣṇu (as Viṣṇupada footprint symbol or faint theophany)","priests (pandas of Gayā, optional)"],"setting":"Gayā tīrtha—riverbank/ghat near Viṣṇupada temple; eclipse sky with dimmed daylight; ritual platforms with kuśa, piṇḍa offerings, copper vessels.","lighting_mood":"dramatic","color_palette":["eclipse charcoal","twilight violet","temple sandstone","ritual white","footprint-gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gayā Viṣṇupada temple and ghat under an eclipse sky; pilgrims offering piṇḍa and tila-tarpaṇa; a prominent gold-leaf Viṣṇupada footprint radiating; ornate borders, rich reds/greens, embossed gold on temple details and halos, gem-like highlights on ritual vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a moody eclipse landscape with delicate gradations of twilight; temple silhouette and wide riverbed; small figures performing rites with refined gestures; subtle luminous footprint on a stone slab; cool purples and blues with restrained gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined eclipse disc, stylized temple architecture, rhythmic rows of pilgrims; warm ochres and reds contrasted with dark eclipse tones; iconic Viṣṇupada footprint motif highlighted in bright yellow and gold-like pigment.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional Gayā scene framed by lotus and floral borders; eclipse disc above, Viṣṇupada footprint central as a sacred emblem; intricate patterns, deep blues and blacks with gold highlights, peacocks and stylized clouds as decorative fillers."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["hushed crowd murmur","river wind","temple bell (distant)","low conch","eerie eclipse silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्वंतराख्यायामन्यस्यां → मन्वन्तर-आख्यायाम् अन्यस्याम्; चंद्रसूर्यस्य → चन्द्र-सूर्यस्य; पुण्यतीर्थे → पुण्य-तीर्थे; गयादिषु → गया-आदिषु
FAQs
It treats lunar and solar eclipses as spiritually potent times when religious acts and a holy disposition are said to yield heightened merit, especially when connected with pilgrimage and sacred places.
Gayā is widely revered in Purāṇic tradition as a powerful pilgrimage site, especially associated with rites for ancestors and the accrual of merit; here it stands as a representative example of “Gayā and other” holy tīrthas.
It emphasizes aligning one’s conduct with auspicious times and sacred contexts—cultivating a “puṇya-saṃsthiti” (abiding in virtue) and seeking holy environments to intensify the fruits of religious practice.