Shloka 72
Kurukṣetra and Sarasvatī Tīrthas: Pilgrimage Itinerary and the Sanctification of Rāma-hrada
Paraśurāma’s Lakes
कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यामभिगम्य वृषध्वजं । लभते सर्वकामान्हि स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति । तिस्रःकोट्यश्च तीर्थानां प्रवरं कुरुनंदन
kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyāmabhigamya vṛṣadhvajaṃ | labhate sarvakāmānhi svargalokaṃ ca gacchati | tisraḥkoṭyaśca tīrthānāṃ pravaraṃ kurunaṃdana
કૃષ્ણપક્ષની ચતુર્દશીએ વૃષધ્વજ (શિવ) પાસે જઈ પૂજા કરનાર નિશ્ચયે સર્વ કામનાઓ પ્રાપ્ત કરે છે અને સ્વર્ગલોકને જાય છે। હે કુરુનંદન, આ તીર્થ ત્રણ કરોડ તીર્થોથી પણ શ્રેષ્ઠ છે।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (likely a Purāṇic narrator addressing a Kuru-descendant interlocutor, e.g., Pulastya → Bhīṣma, context-dependent).
Concept: Approaching the deity at the right tithi in a powerful tīrtha yields both kāmya-phala (desired aims) and svarga-gati.
Application: Observe lunar timing (kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī) with disciplined pilgrimage or local temple visit; perform darśana, namaskāra, and simple offerings with faith, treating sacred time-place as a catalyst for inner restraint and clarity of intention.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim approaches a majestic Vṛṣadhvaja-Śiva shrine on the dark-fortnight caturdaśī, carrying a small lamp and bilva leaves, while the sky is deep indigo with a thin crescent. The temple gateway is carved with bulls and tridents, yet the atmosphere is serene—suggesting that this single kṣetra outshines countless other holy places.","primary_figures":["Śiva as Vṛṣadhvaja","devotee-pilgrim","attendant priests"],"setting":"Ancient tīrtha-temple complex with stone steps leading to a sanctum, nearby sacred water and pilgrimage markers, banners fluttering in night breeze","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["indigo night","smoky silver","lamp-flame amber","stone gray","bilva green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vṛṣadhvaja-Śiva seated in sanctum with Nandi emblem prominent, gold leaf halo and arch, rich crimson and emerald drapery, gem-studded ornaments; foreground pilgrim offering bilva and lamp on kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī, ornate temple pillars and prabhāvali with embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: moon-darkened sky over a hill-temple tīrtha, delicate lines and cool indigo palette; refined Śiva icon within a small shrine, pilgrim with lamp and bilva at the threshold, lyrical trees and a quiet water-stepwell nearby, soft atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Śiva as Vṛṣadhvaja with serene eyes and luminous aura, Nandi motif, temple-lamp glow; stylized devotees and priests, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, wall-like composition with sacred geometry borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional night tīrtha scene framed by lotus and floral borders, deep blue ground with gold highlights; central shrine of Vṛṣadhvaja, rows of tiny pilgrims, hanging lamps, intricate motifs suggesting 'crores of tīrthas' as miniature icons around the main kṣetra."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft drum (mṛdaṅga)","night wind","murmured mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caturdaśyāmabhigamya = चतुर्दश्याम् + अभिगम्य; sarvakāmānhi = सर्वकामान् + हि; tisraḥkoṭyaśca = तिस्रः + कोट्यः + च; kurunaṃdana = कुरुनन्दन (anusvāra/ṃ for nasalization in IAST).
FAQs
It recommends approaching (visiting/worshiping) Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva) on caturdaśī, the fourteenth lunar day, specifically in the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa (dark fortnight).
It promises sarva-kāma-prāpti (fulfillment of desired aims) and attainment of svarga-loka (going to heaven).
The verse teaches that disciplined timing (observing sacred days) and sincere devotion at a revered locus of worship (tīrtha/temple/linga context) are presented as powerful means for spiritual merit and auspicious outcomes.