Shloka 8
Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
तस्मिन्मनुष्यबहुलैर्जलस्नानविचित्रितैः । यत्रोत्सुकैः प्रयातैस्तु भूमिपालैः समंततः ॥ ८ ॥
tasminmanuṣyabahulairjalasnānavicitritaiḥ | yatrotsukaiḥ prayātaistu bhūmipālaiḥ samaṃtataḥ || 8 ||
There, at that sacred place, thronged with many people and adorned by the varied scenes of bathing in water, the kings of the earth too—eager and enthusiastic—had come from every direction.
Narada (narrating within the Tirtha-Mahatmya section; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara contextually implied)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It highlights the magnetic sanctity of a tirtha: the holy place becomes spiritually vibrant through communal water-bathing (snana), drawing not only common pilgrims but even kings, indicating widespread faith in tirtha-mahatmya.
By portraying eager travel and reverent bathing at a sacred site, the verse reflects bhakti expressed through pilgrimage practices—approaching holy places with enthusiasm and humility as part of lived devotion.
Ritual practice is implied: tirtha-snana as a dharmic observance (a smriti-aligned rite). While no single Vedanga is named, the verse supports kalpa-style ritual discipline through prescribed sacred bathing and pilgrimage conduct.