Shloka 116
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
यत्र मड़कणक: सिद्धो महर्षिलोंकविश्रुत: । पुरा मड़कणको राजन् कुशाग्रेणेति न: श्रुतम्,नरेश्वर! इसके बाद सप्तसारस्वत नामक तीर्थकी यात्रा करे, जहाँ लोकविख्यात महर्षि मंकणकको सिद्धि प्राप्त हुई थी। राजन! हमारे सुननेमें आया है कि पहले कभी महर्षि मंकणकके हाथमें कुशका अग्रभाग गड़ गया, जिससे उनके हाथमें घाव हो गया। महाराज! उस समय उस हाथसे शाकका रस चूने लगा। शाकका रस चूता देख महर्षि हर्षावेशसे मतवाले हो नृत्य करने लगे
yatra maḍakaṇakaḥ siddho maharṣilokaviśrutaḥ | purā maḍakaṇako rājan kuśāgreṇeti naḥ śrutam |
“Proceed to the sacred ford called Saptasārasvata, where the great sage Maṅkaṇaka—renowned among sages—attained spiritual accomplishment. O King, we have heard that long ago Maṅkaṇaka was pierced in the hand by the tip of a blade of kuśa grass; a wound formed, and from that hand a green, vegetable-like sap began to ooze. Seeing that sap flow, the sage, overwhelmed with delight, became intoxicated with joy and began to dance.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode cautions that even an ascetic’s unusual experience or minor ‘miracle’ can trigger elation and loss of inner restraint; true spiritual maturity requires steadiness and humility rather than intoxication with one’s own signs of power or uniqueness.
The speaker directs the king toward the Saptasārasvata pilgrimage site and begins recounting why it is famous: the sage Maṅkaṇaka once injured his hand on kuśa grass, a green sap oozed out, and he became so delighted by this marvel that he danced in rapture.