Shloka 17
Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya
हेतुनिष्टश्च पंचैते न तीर्थफलभागिनः । नृणां पापकृतां तीर्थे पापस्य शमनं भवेत् ॥ १७ ॥
hetuniṣṭaśca paṃcaite na tīrthaphalabhāginaḥ | nṛṇāṃ pāpakṛtāṃ tīrthe pāpasya śamanaṃ bhavet || 17 ||
വെറും തർക്കത്തിൽ ഉറച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന ഈ അഞ്ചുപേരും തീർത്ഥഫലത്തിന് ഭാഗഭാക്കല്ല. പാപം ചെയ്യുന്ന മനുഷ്യർക്കു തീർത്ഥം പാപശമനത്തിനുള്ള മാർഗമാകുന്നു.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It distinguishes between the purifying power of tīrthas for sincere penitents and the inability of those bound to dry argumentation to receive the inner fruit of pilgrimage.
By implying that mere intellectualism blocks spiritual benefit, it aligns with Bhakti’s emphasis on faith, humility, and receptivity—qualities that allow tīrtha-yātrā to transform the heart.
It reflects Dharma-śāstra style discernment used in ritual practice: tīrtha-yātrā functions as a form of prāyaścitta (expiation), but its phala depends on inner disposition, not just external travel or debate.