Shloka 28
Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya
प्रयागे तीर्थयात्रायां पितृमातृवियोगतः । कचानां वपनं कुर्याद् वृथा न विकचो भवेत् ॥ २८ ॥
prayāge tīrthayātrāyāṃ pitṛmātṛviyogataḥ | kacānāṃ vapanaṃ kuryād vṛthā na vikaco bhavet || 28 ||
പ്രയാഗത്തിലെ തീർത്ഥയാത്രയിൽ പിതാവിനെയും മാതാവിനെയും വിട്ടുപോയവൻ (അഥവാ അവരെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടവൻ) മുടി മുണ്ഡനം ചെയ്യണം; അങ്ങനെ ചെയ്യാതെ വ്യർത്ഥമായി മുടിയില്ലാത്തവനാകാതിരിക്കാനാണ്।
Suta (narrating the Prayaga-Mahatmya teachings as transmitted in the Purana)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that external rites at a tīrtha (like shaving) should be performed with a proper dharmic cause—here, parental separation/bereavement—so that ritual acts are meaningful rather than merely imitative.
By emphasizing sincerity and right intention in sacred observances at Prayāga, it supports bhakti as disciplined, mindful practice rather than empty display; devotion is strengthened when rites align with dharma.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse gives a rule of conduct for tīrtha-yātrā and a specific rite (vapana) tied to a qualifying condition, reflecting dharma-śāstric precision in observance.