Shloka 61
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
समुद्रा यत्र चत्वारो निवसंति युधिष्ठिर । ततोपस्पृश्य राजेंद्र कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्
samudrā yatra catvāro nivasaṃti yudhiṣṭhira | tatopaspṛśya rājeṃdra kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam
হে যুধিষ্ঠিৰ, য’ত চাৰিওটা সাগৰ নিবাস কৰে, তাত, হে ৰাজেন্দ্ৰ, জলস্পৰ্শে শুদ্ধি কৰি আৰু সেই পবিত্ৰ স্থানৰ প্ৰদক্ষিণা কৰি…
Unspecified narrator addressing Yudhiṣṭhira (dialogue context not provided in the input)
Concept: Even minimal water-contact (upasparśa/ācamana) performed with reverence, followed by pradakṣiṇā, completes a valid purification act in a powerful kṣetra.
Application: When time or circumstance limits elaborate worship, do the essentials with sincerity: a mindful sip/touch of water, a respectful circumambulation (or mental pradakṣiṇā), and a prayer of dedication.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sacred mandala-landscape shows four oceanic horizons meeting at a central tīrtha: waves of different hues converge toward a luminous shrine. Yudhiṣṭhira, crowned yet humble, touches water to his lips and forehead (upaspṛśya) and begins a clockwise pradakṣiṇā along a path traced with conch and lotus symbols, while sages watch in silence.","primary_figures":["Yudhiṣṭhira","Sage narrator (implied)","Pilgrims","Kṣetra-devatā presence (symbolic)"],"setting":"A mythic tīrtha at the confluence of cosmic waters—shoreline steps, central shrine, and a circumambulatory ring-path like a mandala.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ocean teal","conch white","sunlit gold","storm-slate blue","lotus magenta"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central shrine as a jeweled mandala with gold leaf, four stylized ocean bands converging; Yudhiṣṭhira performing ācamana and pradakṣiṇā, ornate crowns and textiles, embossed wave patterns and conch motifs, radiant sanctity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic yet delicate seascape with four differently colored waters meeting; small refined figures of Yudhiṣṭhira and sages, airy sky gradients, lyrical naturalism with symbolic mandala path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition with four ocean quadrants, central deity-space, Yudhiṣṭhira in profile touching water; bold outlines, saturated pigments, temple-wall iconography with conch/lotus emblems.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: circular pradakṣiṇā path around a central shrine, bordered by lotus vines; four ocean corners rendered as patterned textiles, peacocks and swans at edges, deep blue ground with gold wave highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["ocean surf","conch shell","temple bells","wind","measured chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततोपस्पृश्य = ततः + उपस्पृश्य; चापि = च + अपि; राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र (ए + इ → ए).
FAQs
It uses a cosmographic marker—“where the four oceans abide”—to locate an exceptionally sacred region, implying that certain tīrthas are described in relation to the Purāṇic world-map rather than only to local terrestrial geography.
By prescribing reverential acts—purificatory water-rite (upaspṛśya/ācamana) and pradakṣiṇā—it frames devotion as embodied practice: approaching the sacred with purity and respectful circumambulation.
The verse models disciplined reverence: before engaging a sacred place, one should purify oneself and perform respectful conduct, emphasizing humility, restraint, and ritual attentiveness.