Shloka 23
The Churning of the Ocean
Samudra Manthana
स्नानं वायसतीर्थे यो गंगास्नानफलं लभेत् । दानमक्षयपुण्यं स्यात्कोटिजन्मार्जितं तथा
snānaṃ vāyasatīrthe yo gaṃgāsnānaphalaṃ labhet | dānamakṣayapuṇyaṃ syātkoṭijanmārjitaṃ tathā
Wer im Vāyasa-tīrtha badet, erlangt die gleiche Frucht wie beim Bad in der Gaṅgā; und jede dort dargebrachte dāna wird zu unvergänglichem Verdienst, gleich dem, das in zehn Millionen Geburten erworben wurde.
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Sacred geography amplifies dharmic acts: bathing purifies like Gaṅgā, and charity becomes imperishable merit.
Application: Pair purification (snāna) with generosity (dāna); choose sacred times/places to strengthen resolve for ethical living and service.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Vāyasa-tīrtha, pilgrims descend ancient stone steps into clear water while priests chant; the water’s surface reflects a faint vision of Gaṅgā-devī, signaling equivalence of merit. Nearby, a devotee offers dāna—cloth, grains, and a cow—into the hands of a calm brāhmaṇa, with a subtle ‘akṣaya’ motif shown as an unending stream of golden light rising upward.","primary_figures":["pilgrims","brāhmaṇa priest","donor devotee","personified Gaṅgā (reflected/visionary)"],"setting":"Riverside/pond tīrtha with ghāṭa steps, banyan tree, small shrine, offering platforms.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","river turquoise","sandalwood beige","vermillion","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vāyasa-tīrtha ghāṭa with ornate shrine, pilgrims in snāna, donor presenting dāna to a brāhmaṇa, Gaṅgā-devī appearing in the water reflection with gold leaf halo, heavy gold embellishment on water ripples and jewelry, rich reds/greens and temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene ghāṭa scene with delicate figures, translucent water, soft dawn gradient, a subtle ethereal Gaṅgā reflection, refined gestures of giving, cool palette with lyrical trees and distant hills, fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa and shrine, bold outlines, pilgrims in rhythmic poses, Gaṅgā-devī icon emerging from waves, saturated reds/yellows/greens, decorative border bands, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical ghāṭa with lotus borders, central water-lotus medallion labeled as tīrtha, devotees offering dāna, peacocks and floral vines, deep blue background with gold highlights, devotional ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","Vedic chanting","conch shell (soft)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात्कोटिजन्मार्जितं = स्यात् + कोटि-जन्म-आर्जितम् (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि); गंगास्नानफलम् = गङ्गा + स्नान + फलम् (समास).
FAQs
It states that bathing at Vāyasa-tīrtha yields the same spiritual fruit as bathing in the Gaṅgā, elevating the site’s status as a powerful tīrtha.
The verse claims that donations made at this sacred place generate merit that does not diminish—symbolically described as equal to merit amassed across ten million births.
The verse pairs personal purification (snāna) with generosity (dāna), implying that sacred practice is completed and strengthened by compassionate giving.