Shloka 59
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य यशःस्थानं व्रजेन्नरः
koṭitīrthe naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṃ labhet | pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya yaśaḥsthānaṃ vrajennaraḥ
Setelah mandi suci di Koṭitīrtha, seseorang memperoleh pahala setara dengan sedekah seribu ekor sapi. Setelah mengelilingi tempat suci itu (pradakṣiṇā) dan kembali, ia mencapai kediaman yang termasyhur, tempat kemuliaan dan nama baik.
Unspecified (tīrtha-māhātmya narration within Svarga-khaṇḍa; commonly framed as Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma in Padma Purāṇa dialogues)
Concept: Ritualized pilgrimage—snāna and pradakṣiṇā—transmutes intention into merit comparable to great charity.
Application: When visiting sacred places, do the full discipline: bathe (or symbolically purify), circumambulate mindfully, and dedicate the merit to the welfare of others—turning travel into sādhana.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Koṭitīrtha, pilgrims descend broad stone ghāṭs into clear sacred water, cupping it to their heads as priests chant. After bathing, they walk a clockwise pradakṣiṇā around a small shrine and ancient trees hung with prayer-cloths, while a celestial ledger motif—subtle golden script in the air—suggests ‘go-sahasra-phala’ being recorded.","primary_figures":["Pilgrims (men and women)","Temple priest","Guardian deity of Koṭitīrtha (implied)"],"setting":"A tīrtha pond/river-ghāṭ with steps, a modest shrine, sacred trees, and circumambulatory path marked by lamps and flowers.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","sunrise gold","turquoise water","sandalwood beige","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Koṭitīrtha ghāṭ scene with pilgrims bathing, priests holding brass lamps, a small shrine at center; lavish gold leaf on water highlights and temple ornaments, rich vermilion and emerald garments, embossed floral borders, conveying merit equal to a thousand cows.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene pond with stepped ghāṭs, delicate figures performing snāna and pradakṣiṇā, soft dawn sky; fine linework, cool turquoise and gentle pinks, lyrical trees and distant hills, quiet sanctity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭ and shrine, pilgrims in rhythmic procession clockwise, priests with lamp and conch; bold outlines, flat yet vibrant pigments, sacred symmetry emphasizing pradakṣiṇā.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of lotuses and creepers; central Koṭitīrtha water body with devotees bathing, clockwise procession around a shrine; peacocks near the steps, deep blue background with gold accents, celebratory yet devotional."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","ghāṭ bells","mantra chanting","conch shell","footsteps in procession"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गोसहस्रफलं = गो + सहस्र + फलम् (समास); प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य = प्रदक्षिणम् + उपावृत्य; व्रजेन्नरः = व्रजेत् + नरः (त् + न → न्न).
FAQs
The verse prescribes bathing (snāna) at Koṭitīrtha and performing circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) of the sacred site.
It states that bathing there yields merit equal to the fruit of gifting a thousand cows (go-sahasra-phala).
It emphasizes disciplined sacred action—purificatory bathing and reverential circumambulation—presenting pilgrimage as a structured form of devotion that leads to spiritual merit and lasting good repute.