Shloka 48
Kurukṣetra and Sarasvatī Tīrthas: Pilgrimage Itinerary and the Sanctification of Rāma-hrada
Paraśurāma’s Lakes
केव्यास्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा लभते वीर्यमुत्तमम् । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र द्वारपालं लवर्णकम्
kevyāstīrthe naraḥ snātvā labhate vīryamuttamam | tato gaccheta rājeṃdra dvārapālaṃ lavarṇakam
Tras bañarse en el tīrtha llamado Kevyā, un hombre alcanza un vigor excelente. Luego, oh rey de reyes, debe dirigirse al (lugar del) guardián de la puerta llamado Lavaṛṇaka.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājendra) within a tīrtha-māhātmya style passage
Concept: Pilgrimage is progressive: each tīrtha confers a specific refinement (here, vīrya) and leads the seeker through guarded thresholds of sanctity.
Application: Treat spiritual growth as staged: complete one discipline fully before moving to the next; honor ‘threshold practices’ (preparatory vows, cleanliness, restraint) before entering sacred spaces.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim bathes at a quiet ford named Kevyā, the water swirling around sacred stones, while a subtle aura of strength rises like warm breath from the river. Beyond the bank stands a guardian figure—Lavaṛṇaka—near a carved gateway, indicating the next stage of the journey into a protected holy domain.","primary_figures":["pilgrim","Lavaṛṇaka (dvārapāla/guardian)","attendant priests"],"setting":"Secluded river/pond ford with a stone gateway and small guardian shrine, travel path leading onward with waymarkers and flags.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["turquoise","sandstone ochre","copper","forest green","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kevyā-tīrtha snāna with a luminous water surface, the pilgrim in ornate dhoti, priests holding kalashas, and Lavaṛṇaka as a richly adorned dvārapāla beside a gilded gateway, heavy gold leaf on jewelry and arch motifs, saturated reds and greens, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate landscape with a small ford, delicate ripples, slender trees, a winding path to a carved gate where the dvārapāla stands, cool palette with gentle shading, refined facial features and lyrical travel narrative mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized guardian Lavaṛṇaka with bold outlines and commanding stance, the pilgrim emerging from the water with folded hands, patterned gateway panels, warm earthy pigments and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative pilgrimage panel with a central water oval labeled Kevyā, floral borders, small guardian shrine with flags, peacocks near the path, deep blue background with gold highlights to suggest sacred vigor and protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on stone steps","flowing water","handbell","distant conch","wind through trees"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: केव्यास्तीर्थे = केव्याः + तीर्थे; वीर्यमुत्तमम् = वीर्यम् + उत्तमम्; राजेंद्र = राज + इन्द्र (समास) + सम्बोधन; (IAST rājeṃdra = rāje + indra, anusvāra/ṃ for sandhi)
FAQs
It states that bathing at Kevyā-tīrtha grants “uttama vīrya”—excellent vigor or potency.
Lavaṛṇaka is identified as a “dvārapāla” (gatekeeper), presented as the next destination in the pilgrimage sequence described here.
The verse emphasizes disciplined pilgrimage practice: performing purifying acts (snāna) and then proceeding in an ordered way to the next sacred point, suggesting steadiness and reverence in spiritual observance.