Shloka 136
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
कन्यादानं तु कार्तिक्यां पुष्करे यः करिष्यति । एकविंशद्गुणोपेतो ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यति
kanyādānaṃ tu kārtikyāṃ puṣkare yaḥ kariṣyati | ekaviṃśadguṇopeto brahmalokaṃ gamiṣyati
കാർത്തിക മാസത്തിൽ പുഷ്കരത്തിൽ കന്യാദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നവന് ഇരുപത്തൊന്ന് മടങ്ങ് പുണ്യം ലഭിച്ച് ബ്രഹ്മലോകം പ്രാപിക്കും.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Performing kanyādāna at the right tirtha (Puṣkara) and sacred month (Kārtika) multiplies merit and leads to Brahmaloka.
Application: Honor life transitions with dharmic responsibility: support marriages ethically (consent, dignity, non-exploitation), and pair family rites with pilgrimage/charity and spiritual practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Puṣkara Lake in Kārtika, pilgrims in white and saffron gather as a family performs kanyādāna beneath a decorated canopy; Brahma’s temple spire rises in the background. The lake reflects rows of lamps and marigold garlands, while the sky glows with autumn clarity, suggesting the path to Brahmaloka.","primary_figures":["bride and groom","parents performing kanyādāna","Brahma (as blessing presence or temple icon)","pilgrims and priests"],"setting":"Puṣkara Lake ghats with Brahma temple in view; Kārtika pilgrimage crowd, lamps on steps, ritual canopy with kalashas and mango leaves.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","sandalwood beige","lake turquoise","vermillion","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Puṣkara Lake ghats with Brahma temple, kanyādāna under a jeweled canopy; gold leaf on temple ornaments and halos, rich reds/greens, intricate jewelry, symmetrical composition with ornate arch border and lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical lakeside scene—delicate figures performing kanyādāna, Brahma temple rendered with fine architectural lines; cool autumn sky, gentle water reflections, refined faces, subtle gold accents and floral details.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—ritual canopy, priests, bride-groom, Brahma temple silhouette; warm pigment palette with patterned garments, stylized lake waves, temple-wall narrative panel composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Puṣkara ghats filled with lamp rows and floral borders; central kanyādāna scene framed by lotus creepers and peacocks; deep blue accents with gold highlights, intricate textile-like ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["ghat bells","pilgrim murmurs","water lapping","conch shell at dawn","distant temple aarti"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ekaviṃśadguṇopeto → eka-viṃśat-guṇa-upetaḥ (components resolved; internal sandhi: viṃśat + guṇa). brahmalokaṃ → brahma-lokam.
FAQs
It highlights Puṣkara as a highly meritorious pilgrimage site (tīrtha), where specific rites—when performed there—are said to yield amplified spiritual results.
Rather than a direct bhakti teaching, it reflects Purāṇic devotional culture by sacralizing time (Kārtika) and place (Puṣkara), encouraging faith-driven observance of dharmic rites as spiritually transformative.
It promotes dāna (religious giving) and responsible fulfillment of social-religious duties (such as marriage rites), presenting them as acts that generate spiritual merit when performed with proper intention in sacred contexts.