Shloka 51
Tīrtha-Māhātmya Sequence: Sacred Fords, Baths, Gifts, and Śrāddha
Narmadā-Belt Itinerary
स्कंदतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । आजन्मनः कृतं पापं स्नानमात्राद्व्यपोहति
skaṃdatīrthaṃ tato gacchetsarvapāpapraṇāśanam | ājanmanaḥ kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ snānamātrādvyapohati
Dann soll man zur Skanda-tīrtha gehen, die alle Sünden vernichtet. Durch das bloße Bad dort werden die seit der Geburt begangenen Sünden hinweggenommen.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa pilgrimage description; commonly framed as Pulastya instructing Bhīṣma in this section)
Concept: Tīrtha-snāna, when done with śraddhā, functions as a decisive ritual reset—pāpa is ‘washed away’ by contact with sanctified waters.
Application: Undertake periodic pilgrimage or local ‘tīrtha-equivalent’ bathing with sankalpa, confession, and resolve; pair ritual cleansing with behavioral change to prevent relapse into pāpa.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim procession arrives at Skanda-tīrtha where a clear pool mirrors a small shrine bearing Skanda’s spear emblem. As devotees step into the water, faint shadowy forms (symbolic sins) dissolve into shimmering light, while priests chant and offer flowers that drift in concentric circles.","primary_figures":["pilgrims","Skanda (Kārttikeya) icon or emblem","tīrtha priests"],"setting":"Forest-edge tīrtha with stone steps, a modest sanctum, flowering trees, and a calm bathing pool","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit transitioning into soft morning light","color_palette":["turquoise","marigold orange","sandalwood beige","leaf green","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Skanda-tīrtha pool with ornate steps, a small Skanda shrine with vel (spear) symbol, devotees performing snāna; gold leaf highlights on water ripples and halos, rich reds/greens, jewel-like detailing on vessels and garlands, symmetrical devotional composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle woodland tīrtha with delicate trees and birds, pilgrims entering a blue-green pool, a small shrine with Skanda banner; fine lines, cool palette, lyrical atmosphere, refined faces and soft gradients in the sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized priests and devotees with bold outlines, patterned water surface, Skanda emblem prominent; warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall feel, rhythmic floral borders and lamp flames.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative tīrtha scene with lotus borders, floating flowers, peacocks at the bank, central shrine motif; deep blues with gold accents, intricate floral patterns, devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","chanting","hand bell","forest birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गच्छेत्सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् = गच्छेत् + सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्; स्नानमात्राद्व्यपोहति = स्नानमात्रात् + व्यपोहति; आजन्मनः treated as avyayībhāva (ā + janmanaḥ).
FAQs
It is a sacred pilgrimage bathing place (tīrtha) associated with Skanda (Kārttikeya), praised here for its purificatory power.
Snāna (ritual bathing) at the tīrtha is presented as a direct means of purification, removing sins accumulated since birth.
It encourages repentance and renewal: one should actively seek purification through sanctioned sacred practices rather than remain burdened by past wrongdoing.