Shloka 136
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
कन्यादानं तु कार्तिक्यां पुष्करे यः करिष्यति । एकविंशद्गुणोपेतो ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यति
kanyādānaṃ tu kārtikyāṃ puṣkare yaḥ kariṣyati | ekaviṃśadguṇopeto brahmalokaṃ gamiṣyati
Wer im Monat Kārtika in Puṣkara das heilige Kanyādāna vollzieht, erlangt Verdienst einundzwanzigfach vermehrt und gelangt in die Welt Brahmās (Brahmaloka).
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Performing kanyādāna at the right tirtha (Puṣkara) and sacred month (Kārtika) multiplies merit and leads to Brahmaloka.
Application: Honor life transitions with dharmic responsibility: support marriages ethically (consent, dignity, non-exploitation), and pair family rites with pilgrimage/charity and spiritual practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Puṣkara Lake in Kārtika, pilgrims in white and saffron gather as a family performs kanyādāna beneath a decorated canopy; Brahma’s temple spire rises in the background. The lake reflects rows of lamps and marigold garlands, while the sky glows with autumn clarity, suggesting the path to Brahmaloka.","primary_figures":["bride and groom","parents performing kanyādāna","Brahma (as blessing presence or temple icon)","pilgrims and priests"],"setting":"Puṣkara Lake ghats with Brahma temple in view; Kārtika pilgrimage crowd, lamps on steps, ritual canopy with kalashas and mango leaves.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","sandalwood beige","lake turquoise","vermillion","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Puṣkara Lake ghats with Brahma temple, kanyādāna under a jeweled canopy; gold leaf on temple ornaments and halos, rich reds/greens, intricate jewelry, symmetrical composition with ornate arch border and lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical lakeside scene—delicate figures performing kanyādāna, Brahma temple rendered with fine architectural lines; cool autumn sky, gentle water reflections, refined faces, subtle gold accents and floral details.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—ritual canopy, priests, bride-groom, Brahma temple silhouette; warm pigment palette with patterned garments, stylized lake waves, temple-wall narrative panel composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Puṣkara ghats filled with lamp rows and floral borders; central kanyādāna scene framed by lotus creepers and peacocks; deep blue accents with gold highlights, intricate textile-like ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["ghat bells","pilgrim murmurs","water lapping","conch shell at dawn","distant temple aarti"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ekaviṃśadguṇopeto → eka-viṃśat-guṇa-upetaḥ (components resolved; internal sandhi: viṃśat + guṇa). brahmalokaṃ → brahma-lokam.
FAQs
It highlights Puṣkara as a highly meritorious pilgrimage site (tīrtha), where specific rites—when performed there—are said to yield amplified spiritual results.
Rather than a direct bhakti teaching, it reflects Purāṇic devotional culture by sacralizing time (Kārtika) and place (Puṣkara), encouraging faith-driven observance of dharmic rites as spiritually transformative.
It promotes dāna (religious giving) and responsible fulfillment of social-religious duties (such as marriage rites), presenting them as acts that generate spiritual merit when performed with proper intention in sacred contexts.