Shloka 72
Kurukṣetra and Sarasvatī Tīrthas: Pilgrimage Itinerary and the Sanctification of Rāma-hrada
Paraśurāma’s Lakes
कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यामभिगम्य वृषध्वजं । लभते सर्वकामान्हि स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति । तिस्रःकोट्यश्च तीर्थानां प्रवरं कुरुनंदन
kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyāmabhigamya vṛṣadhvajaṃ | labhate sarvakāmānhi svargalokaṃ ca gacchati | tisraḥkoṭyaśca tīrthānāṃ pravaraṃ kurunaṃdana
কৃষ্ণপক্ষৰ চতুৰ্দশীত বৃষধ্বজ (শিৱ)ক অভিগমন কৰি পূজা কৰিলে সি নিশ্চয় সকলো কামনা লাভ কৰে আৰু স্বৰ্গলোকলৈ গমন কৰে। হে কুৰুনন্দন, এই তীৰ্থ তিনিকোটি তীৰ্থৰো শ্ৰেষ্ঠ।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (likely a Purāṇic narrator addressing a Kuru-descendant interlocutor, e.g., Pulastya → Bhīṣma, context-dependent).
Concept: Approaching the deity at the right tithi in a powerful tīrtha yields both kāmya-phala (desired aims) and svarga-gati.
Application: Observe lunar timing (kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī) with disciplined pilgrimage or local temple visit; perform darśana, namaskāra, and simple offerings with faith, treating sacred time-place as a catalyst for inner restraint and clarity of intention.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim approaches a majestic Vṛṣadhvaja-Śiva shrine on the dark-fortnight caturdaśī, carrying a small lamp and bilva leaves, while the sky is deep indigo with a thin crescent. The temple gateway is carved with bulls and tridents, yet the atmosphere is serene—suggesting that this single kṣetra outshines countless other holy places.","primary_figures":["Śiva as Vṛṣadhvaja","devotee-pilgrim","attendant priests"],"setting":"Ancient tīrtha-temple complex with stone steps leading to a sanctum, nearby sacred water and pilgrimage markers, banners fluttering in night breeze","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["indigo night","smoky silver","lamp-flame amber","stone gray","bilva green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vṛṣadhvaja-Śiva seated in sanctum with Nandi emblem prominent, gold leaf halo and arch, rich crimson and emerald drapery, gem-studded ornaments; foreground pilgrim offering bilva and lamp on kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī, ornate temple pillars and prabhāvali with embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: moon-darkened sky over a hill-temple tīrtha, delicate lines and cool indigo palette; refined Śiva icon within a small shrine, pilgrim with lamp and bilva at the threshold, lyrical trees and a quiet water-stepwell nearby, soft atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Śiva as Vṛṣadhvaja with serene eyes and luminous aura, Nandi motif, temple-lamp glow; stylized devotees and priests, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, wall-like composition with sacred geometry borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional night tīrtha scene framed by lotus and floral borders, deep blue ground with gold highlights; central shrine of Vṛṣadhvaja, rows of tiny pilgrims, hanging lamps, intricate motifs suggesting 'crores of tīrthas' as miniature icons around the main kṣetra."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft drum (mṛdaṅga)","night wind","murmured mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caturdaśyāmabhigamya = चतुर्दश्याम् + अभिगम्य; sarvakāmānhi = सर्वकामान् + हि; tisraḥkoṭyaśca = तिस्रः + कोट्यः + च; kurunaṃdana = कुरुनन्दन (anusvāra/ṃ for nasalization in IAST).
FAQs
It recommends approaching (visiting/worshiping) Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva) on caturdaśī, the fourteenth lunar day, specifically in the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa (dark fortnight).
It promises sarva-kāma-prāpti (fulfillment of desired aims) and attainment of svarga-loka (going to heaven).
The verse teaches that disciplined timing (observing sacred days) and sincere devotion at a revered locus of worship (tīrtha/temple/linga context) are presented as powerful means for spiritual merit and auspicious outcomes.