Shloka 15
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
मतंगस्य तु केदारं तत्रैव भरतर्षभ । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्
mataṃgasya tu kedāraṃ tatraiva bharatarṣabha | tatra snātvā naro rājangosahasraphalaṃ labhet
Dan di sana pula terdapat Kedāra milik Mataṅga, wahai yang terbaik di antara keturunan Bharata. Wahai Raja, siapa mandi di sana memperoleh pahala setara dengan sedekah seribu ekor sapi.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan) and Bharata-hero (bharatarṣabha) within a tīrtha-māhātmya dialogue
Concept: Snāna at a rṣi-siddha tīrtha yields the merit of great charity (thousand-cow gift).
Application: Practice generosity within means, and pair it with inner cleanliness—truthfulness, restraint, and reverent remembrance during any sacred bath.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene forest-hermitage tīrtha labeled ‘Mataṅga-kedāra’ lies beside a calm bathing ghat, with deer and ascetics moving quietly among sal trees. A kingly pilgrim, humbled, steps into the water while a visionary sage Mataṅga appears near a simple shrine, blessing the act as equal to gifting a thousand cows.","primary_figures":["Pilgrim king (rājan)","Sage Mataṅga","Forest ascetics"],"setting":"Forest tīrtha with stone steps, a modest Kedāra-shrine marker, hermitage huts, and sacred trees","lighting_mood":"forest dappled with soft afternoon light","color_palette":["moss green","sandalwood beige","river turquoise","ochre","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central bathing ghat and small Kedāra shrine under a carved arch; sage Mataṅga with gold leaf halo and ornate borders; the king-pilgrim with jeweled crown set aside in humility; rich reds/greens, gold leaf highlights, temple-lamp ambience.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate forest scene with fine leaves, gentle river, small shrine; Mataṅga seated in meditation with subtle aura; the king entering water; cool greens and blues, refined faces, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized trees and water ripples; Mataṅga and the king in profile with large eyes; warm reds/yellows/greens, ornamental floral border suggesting sacred enclosure.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders and lotus motifs around the tīrtha; symbolic cows in the border panels to signify go-sahasra-phala; central scene of snāna and sage blessing; deep indigo background with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft water lapping","distant temple bell","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रैव = तत्र + एव; राजन्गोसहस्रफलं = राजन् + गोसहस्रफलम्
FAQs
It locates a specific tīrtha—“Mataṅga’s Kedāra”—and treats it as a recognized pilgrimage site where ritual bathing is prescribed as spiritually efficacious.
It equates the merit of bathing at the tīrtha with the famed charitable act of gifting a thousand cows, showing how tīrtha-snānā is presented as a potent ritual act comparable to major dāna.
The comparison encourages accessible righteousness: even those unable to perform grand donations can pursue spiritual merit through disciplined pilgrimage and sacred bathing at revered sites.