Shloka 12
Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya
तारिताः पितररतेन नरकात्प्रपितामहाः । यस्य हस्तौ च पादौ च मनश्चैव सुसंयतम् ॥ १२ ॥
tāritāḥ pitararatena narakātprapitāmahāḥ | yasya hastau ca pādau ca manaścaiva susaṃyatam || 12 ||
പിതൃസേവയിൽ രമിക്കുന്നവൻ നരകത്തിൽ നിന്ന് പ്രപിതാമഹന്മാരെയും രക്ഷിക്കുന്നു; അവന്റെ കൈകളും കാലുകളും മനസ്സും സുസംയമിതമാണ്।
Narada (instructional narration within Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)
FAQs
It teaches that sincere Pitṛ-bhakti (devotion to one’s ancestors through proper duties) combined with personal self-restraint generates such merit that it uplifts even one’s forefathers from painful states like Naraka.
Bhakti here is expressed as reverent service (seva) and fidelity to dharma toward the Pitṛs; the verse links devotion with inner discipline—true devotion is not merely ritual, but also control of action (hands/feet) and intention (mind).
It emphasizes niyama and saṃyama (disciplined conduct) as the practical foundation for effective ritual action—without controlled body and mind, rites like Pitṛ-related offerings lose their intended dharmic force.