Shloka 7
Glorification of Prayāga
The Gaṅgā–Yamunā Confluence
निष्फलं तस्य तत्तीर्थं तस्माद्यानं परित्यजेत् । गंगायमुनयोर्मध्ये यस्तु कन्यां प्रयच्छति
niṣphalaṃ tasya tattīrthaṃ tasmādyānaṃ parityajet | gaṃgāyamunayormadhye yastu kanyāṃ prayacchati
ಅವನಿಗೆ ಆ ತೀರ್ಥವು ಫಲವಿಲ್ಲದಾಗುತ್ತದೆ; ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅಂಥ ಯಾತ್ರೆಯನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಬೇಕು. ಆದರೆ ಗಂಗಾ-ಯಮುನೆಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ಯಾದಾನ ಮಾಡುವವನು ಪುಣ್ಯಫಲವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವನು.
Unspecified (context needed to identify the dialogue pair for Adhyaya 43)
Concept: Tīrtha-yātrā without dharmic intention and right action is barren; merit arises from righteous giving, especially kanyā-dāna, in a sanctified region.
Application: Treat pilgrimages as occasions for ethical action—charity, humility, service, and family duties performed with purity—rather than spiritual tourism.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim caravan pauses on the fertile Gaṅgā–Yamunā plain. In the foreground, a solemn kanyā-dāna rite unfolds: the bride’s father pours water into the groom’s hands, while priests chant beside a small fire; in the distance, the twin rivers shimmer like silver ribbons, suggesting that true tīrtha-fruit arises from dharmic action, not mere travel.","primary_figures":["bride (kanyā)","groom","bride’s father (dātā)","Vedic priest (ṛtvik)","pilgrims"],"setting":"Riverine doāb with sandy ghāṭa, mango groves, a modest yajña-kuṇḍa, and distant river confluence haze","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river-silver","saffron ochre","mango-leaf green","vermillion red","indigo shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a sacred Gaṅgā–Yamunā doāb scene with a central kanyā-dāna ritual, priest and fire altar, stylized rivers behind; heavy gold leaf halos on the officiating priest and auspicious symbols, rich vermillion and emerald textiles, ornate jewelry, temple-like framing with floral borders and embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate kanyā-dāna on a riverbank between two flowing rivers, refined faces and gentle gestures, thin ink outlines, cool blues and soft greens, distant sandbars and trees, lyrical sky wash; subtle emphasis on humility and dharma rather than grandeur.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments depicting the marriage-gift rite at a ghāṭa, stylized river waves, priest with pronounced eyes and traditional ornaments, warm red-yellow-green palette, symmetrical composition with auspicious motifs around the scene.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional doāb tableau with lotus borders and peacocks; the kanyā-dāna rite framed by floral vines, deep blue river bands with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns, temple-arch motifs, and auspicious kalasha elements—Krishna/Vishnu symbols subtly integrated (śaṅkha-cakra motifs) to signal tīrtha sanctity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft temple bells","low Vedic chanting","rustling leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्तीर्थं = तत् + तीर्थम्; तस्माद्यानं = तस्मात् + यानम्; गंगायमुनयोर्मध्ये = गङ्गा + यमुनयोः + मध्ये (समास/सन्धि-लेखन); यस्तु = यः + तु.
FAQs
It indicates that merely visiting a tīrtha can become “fruitless” for a person lacking the qualifying attitude or conduct implied by the surrounding passage; hence, one should abandon a journey that is not aligned with dharma.
The Gaṅgā-Yamunā doāb is presented as a specially sanctified region; performing major dharmic acts there—here, kanyā-dāna (giving a daughter in marriage)—is praised as highly meritorious.
The verse prioritizes sincere dharmic action (such as responsible charity and socially sacred duties like kanyā-dāna) over empty ritual travel, implying that inner integrity and right action give religious practice its real value.