Shloka 15
The Determination of the Extent of the Sacred Field and Related Matters
Kurukṣetra Māhātmya
सरः प्रवेशात्संप्राप्तं स्थाणुत्वं शंभुनापि च । पितुर्वधाच्च तप्तेन पशुरामेण भामिनि ॥ १५ ॥
saraḥ praveśātsaṃprāptaṃ sthāṇutvaṃ śaṃbhunāpi ca | piturvadhācca taptena paśurāmeṇa bhāmini || 15 ||
O fair lady, even Śambhu (Śiva) attained sthāṇutva—stillness like a pillar—by entering that sacred lake; and Paraśurāma too, scorched by tapas after slaying his father, came there and found relief and merit.
Suta (narrating to the sages, within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It asserts the extraordinary purifying power (tīrtha-māhātmya) of a specific sacred lake: even exalted beings like Śiva and a guilt-burdened Paraśurāma are connected with it, indicating that contact with the tīrtha is a potent means of purification and merit.
While the verse is primarily tīrtha-centered, it supports bhakti indirectly by presenting sacred places as aids to inner transformation—devotees approach such tīrthas with faith (śraddhā), humility, and remembrance of the divine, which strengthens devotional orientation.
The practical takeaway is dharma-śāstric application rather than a specific Vedāṅga: tīrtha-snāna and pilgrimage function as forms of prāyaścitta (ritual expiation) and merit-making when performed with proper intent and observance.