Shloka 24
The Glory of Gayā and the Pilgrimage Circuit of Allied Tīrthas
मणिनागं ततो गच्छेद्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । नैत्यकं भुंजते यस्तु मणिनागस्य मानवः
maṇināgaṃ tato gacchedgosahasraphalaṃ labhet | naityakaṃ bhuṃjate yastu maṇināgasya mānavaḥ
ثمّ ليذهب إلى مانيناغا؛ فينال ثوابًا يعادل هبة ألف بقرة. أمّا من تناول النايتيَكا الخاصّ بمانيناغا فلا ينال ذلك الثمر.
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within the chapter’s tīrtha-māhātmya context)
Concept: Tīrtha merit depends not only on visiting but on ethical restraint: do not consume what is dedicated to the deity (naityaka), or the promised fruit is obstructed.
Application: Respect boundaries around sacred/communal offerings; avoid entitlement in religious spaces; practice integrity—do not take what is not given, even if ‘small’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene nāga-tīrtha: a clear spring shaded by ancient trees, with a stone icon of Maṇināga crowned by a jewel-like hood. Pilgrims offer flowers and water, while a subtle caution is shown—an offering plate marked as ‘naityaka’ remains untouched, emphasizing dharmic restraint as the key to receiving go-sahasra merit.","primary_figures":["Maṇināga (nāga deity)","pilgrims with offerings","temple attendant/priest"],"setting":"spring-fed pond with stone steps, nāga shrine with serpent canopy, forest shade, offering platform","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["jade green","turquoise","sandstone beige","ruby red","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Maṇināga as a central serpent-deity with gemmed hood and gold leaf halo, pilgrims offering flowers at a stepped pond; a prominently depicted untouched naityaka plate to signify restraint; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, gold leaf on hood scales and halo.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil spring scene with delicate ripples, slender trees, Maṇināga shrine nestled in nature; pilgrims in soft garments, refined faces; emphasis on quiet ethical moment—hands folded, offering plate left undisturbed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Maṇināga with bold outlines and patterned scales, shrine and pond in flat iconic layout; attendants holding lamps and flowers; strong red/yellow/green palette with temple-wall compositional balance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative nāga shrine framed by lotus and floral borders; symmetrical offering arrangements, peacocks and vines; deep blue ground with gold highlights, emphasizing sacred water and auspicious abundance (go-sahasra symbolism via cow motifs in border medallions)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["water dripping","leaf rustle","soft bell","distant cowbells (symbolic)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गच्छेत् + गोसहस्रफलम् → गच्छेद्गोसहस्रफलम् (त् + ग् = द्ग्)। यः + तु → यस्तु (विसर्ग/सन्धि-रूप)।
FAQs
The verse states that going to Maṇināga yields merit equal to the fruit of donating a thousand cows (go-sahasra-phala).
It cautions that a person who eats the daily offering (naityaka) belonging to Maṇināga does not gain the stated merit—implying a rule of respecting offerings associated with the sacred site/deity.
Respect for sacred property and offerings: pilgrimage merit is linked not only to visiting a place but also to proper conduct, especially refraining from consuming offerings meant for the deity/guardian of the tīrtha.