Shloka 48
Tīrtha-Māhātmya of the Sarasvatī Region and the Praise of Kurukṣetra
Pilgrimage Merits
ततो गच्छेत राजेन्द्र तीर्थं शतसहस्रकम् । साहस्रकं च तत्रैव द्वे तीर्थे लोकविश्रुते
tato gaccheta rājendra tīrthaṃ śatasahasrakam | sāhasrakaṃ ca tatraiva dve tīrthe lokaviśrute
Luego, oh rey, debe ir al tīrtha llamado Śata-sahasraka; y allí mismo está también Sāhasraka: dos lugares sagrados célebres en todo el mundo.
Unspecified (narrator addressing a king, 'rājendra')
Concept: Pilgrimage proceeds by sequential visitation of specific tīrthas; sacred geography is a structured path of merit and purification.
Application: Plan spiritual practice as an itinerary: stepwise commitments (visit, bathe, give, fast) rather than vague aspiration.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal pilgrim with attendants receives directions from a sage pointing toward two nearby sacred fords marked by carved stone steles reading 'Śata-sahasraka' and 'Sāhasraka'. The landscape shows a branching river with two ghāṭas, each crowned by small shrines and fluttering flags, suggesting fame across the world.","primary_figures":["king (rājendra)","guiding sage/ācārya","pilgrims and attendants"],"setting":"river valley with two distinct ghāṭas, wayfinding pillars, small shrines, pilgrims moving in procession","lighting_mood":"clear midday with crisp sacred clarity","color_palette":["river blue","flag saffron","stone gray","leaf green","sunlit gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: kingly pilgrim receiving directions to two famed tīrthas; twin ghāṭas and shrines shown symmetrically; gold leaf on shrine domes and banners, rich reds/greens in royal garments, ornate jewelry, embossed borders with lotus and conch motifs, traditional South Indian compositional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic river valley with two ghāṭas; delicate brushwork on flags and foliage; the sage pointing, the king listening with folded hands; cool blues and greens with warm saffron accents, refined facial features, lyrical travel narrative feel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized river splitting toward two ghāṭas; king and sage in profile with characteristic eyes; red/yellow/green palette, decorative temple-wall borders, clear iconographic flags and shrine motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: twin tīrtha composition framed by intricate floral borders; saffron flags, lotus motifs around water; pilgrims in decorative procession; deep blues with gold highlights, peacocks on margins, Vaishnava emblems subtly repeated."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on stone","pilgrim murmurs","river flow","flag flapping","temple bell in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रैव = तत्र + एव.
FAQs
It presents a step-by-step itinerary: after one site, the text directs the pilgrim onward to named tīrthas, emphasizing a sequential sacred route.
They are the proper names of two pilgrimage tīrthas, described as being located in the same area and renowned widely.
It frames pilgrimage as disciplined movement and intentional seeking of sanctifying places—encouraging purposeful spiritual practice rather than aimless travel.