Shloka 65
Tīrtha-Māhātmya Sequence: Sacred Fords, Baths, Gifts, and Śrāddha
Narmadā-Belt Itinerary
ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र तीर्थं शक्रस्य विश्रुतम् । पूजितं देवराजेन देवैरपि नमस्कृतम्
tato gaccheta rājeṃdra tīrthaṃ śakrasya viśrutam | pūjitaṃ devarājena devairapi namaskṛtam
ثم، أيها الملك الأفضل، ليمضِ المرء إلى التيرثا المشهور لشَكْرا (إندرا)، المَعبر المقدّس، الذي يعبده ملكُ الدِّيفات وتُجِلّه سائرُ الآلهة.
Pulastya (to Bhīṣma)
Concept: Approach sacred places sanctified by divine worship; the holiness of a tīrtha is amplified by the reverence shown to it by higher beings.
Application: Choose pilgrimages and daily sacred routines (snāna, darśana, pradakṣiṇā) with humility, remembering that reverence itself is transformative.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A revered river-ford gleams with celestial potency as Indra’s banner flutters above a stone ghāṭa. Devas hover in the sky offering garlands while a royal pilgrim approaches with folded hands, guided by a sage’s gesture toward the sanctified waters.","primary_figures":["Pulastya","Bhīṣma","Indra (Śakra)","assembled devas"],"setting":"Riverbank tīrtha with carved steps, small shrine pavilion, and a distant celestial archway suggested in the clouds","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","pearl white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra’s Śakra-tīrtha on a river ghāṭa, Indra seated on Airāvata above the shrine canopy, devas showering flowers, Pulastya pointing the way to Bhīṣma; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing the tīrtha steps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical river-ford with delicate ripples, Bhīṣma in royal attire approaching with humility, Pulastya as serene sage, devas as small luminous figures in a pale sky; cool blues and greens, refined faces, soft Himalayan-like hills in the distance, intricate floral borders.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined Indra with large expressive eyes above a stylized ghāṭa, Pulastya and Bhīṣma in profile, devas in symmetrical arrangement; natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition, patterned clouds and lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: tīrtha scene framed by lotus and creeper borders, celestial garlands raining down, river rendered as patterned blue bands, shrine at center; deep indigo and gold accents, peacocks near the water, intricate floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","conch shell","soft celestial chimes"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र; देवैरपि = देवैः + अपि (विसर्गलोप); श्लोके 'तीर्थं' इत्यस्य विशेषणानि: विश्रुतम्/पूजितम्/नमस्कृतम्।
FAQs
It presents a sequential pilgrimage instruction, pointing to a specific, well-known tīrtha associated with Śakra (Indra), suggesting an organized sacred landscape where sites are linked to particular deities and visited in a prescribed order.
By highlighting that even the gods bow to and worship this tīrtha, the verse frames pilgrimage as an act of reverence and devotion—bhakti expressed through honoring places sanctified by divine presence and worship.
It teaches humility and reverence: if even exalted beings honor sacred places, humans—especially rulers—should cultivate respect for dharma through pilgrimage, worship, and disciplined religious conduct.