Shloka 19
Description of the Fruits of Pilgrimage
Puṣkara Tīrtha Māhātmya
अग्निष्टोमादिभिर्यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा विपुलदक्षिणैः । न तत्फलमवाप्नोति तीर्थाभिगमनेन यत्
agniṣṭomādibhiryajñairiṣṭvā vipuladakṣiṇaiḥ | na tatphalamavāpnoti tīrthābhigamanena yat
ಅಗ್ನಿಷ್ಟೋಮಾದಿ ಯಜ್ಞಗಳನ್ನು ನೆರವೇರಿಸಿ ಅಪಾರ ದಕ್ಷಿಣೆ ನೀಡಿದರೂ, ತೀರ್ಥಾಭಿಗಮನದಿಂದ ದೊರೆಯುವ ಫಲವು ಅದರಿಂದ ದೊರೆಯದು.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Tīrtha-yātrā grants a superior, concentrated spiritual fruit compared to costly Vedic sacrifices.
Application: Prefer periodic pilgrimage/holy bathing and reverent visitation (with restraint, charity, and japa) over mere display of expensive religiosity; cultivate humility and service at sacred places.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand sacrificial arena with smoking altars and priests offering oblations fades into the background as a radiant tīrtha-shore comes into focus. A humble pilgrim, hands folded, steps into shimmering sacred waters, while unseen divine presence glows above the ford, suggesting a fruit beyond ritual grandeur.","primary_figures":["pilgrim devotee","Vedic priests (ṛtviks)","subtle divine aura of Viṣṇu as tīrtha-sannidhi"],"setting":"Juxtaposed yajña-śālā and a sacred river/kuṇḍa ford with ghāṭa steps, prayer flags, and offering trays","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["saffron gold","smoke gray","river turquoise","lotus pink","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a split-scene composition—left a Vedic Agniṣṭoma yajña with ornate altar, priests in white with red borders, ghee ladles and rising smoke; right a luminous tīrtha-ghāṭa where a pilgrim offers añjali before entering water, a subtle Viṣṇu aura above the ford; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald accents, gem-studded ornaments on ritual vessels, traditional South Indian iconographic detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical riverside tīrtha with delicate ripples, soft hills and trees, a modest pilgrim contrasted with a distant yajña pavilion; cool blues and greens, refined faces, fine linework, gentle atmospheric perspective, small divine glimmer over the water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined yajña-fire and tīrtha-water in a single narrative panel; stylized priests and pilgrim with expressive eyes, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic, a radiant circular aura indicating sacred presence at the ford.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: tīrtha as a lotus-filled waterbody with ornate floral borders; a devotee at the ghāṭa offering lamps and flowers, subtle Viṣṇu symbolism (śaṅkha-cakra motifs) in the border; deep blues, gold highlights, intricate lotuses and peacocks framing the sanctity of pilgrimage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","crackling sacrificial fire","flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अग्निष्टोमादिभिर्यज्ञैः = अग्निष्टोमादिभिः + यज्ञैः; तत्फलम् = तत् + फलम्; फलमवाप्नोति = फलम् + अवाप्नोति
FAQs
It teaches that pilgrimage to a sacred tīrtha can yield a spiritual fruit considered greater than that obtained from costly Vedic sacrifices accompanied by large gifts.
No. It uses yajña as a high benchmark of merit, then emphasizes that tīrtha-visit is praised as producing an even more exceptional result.
It encourages accessible dharma: spiritual progress is not limited to those who can fund elaborate rituals; sincere pilgrimage and sacred association are presented as powerful means of merit.