Shloka 12
Description of the Fruits of Pilgrimage
Puṣkara Tīrtha Māhātmya
अक्रोधनश्च राजेंद्र सत्यशीलो दृढव्रतः । आत्मोपमश्च भूतेषु स तीर्थफलमश्नुते
akrodhanaśca rājeṃdra satyaśīlo dṛḍhavrataḥ | ātmopamaśca bhūteṣu sa tīrthaphalamaśnute
ഹേ രാജേന്ദ്രാ! ക്രോധരഹിതനും സത്യനിഷ്ഠനും വ്രതത്തിൽ ദൃഢനും സർവ്വഭൂതങ്ങളെയും സ്വയംപോലെ കാണുന്നവനും ആയവൻ—അവൻ തീർത്ഥയാത്രയുടെ യഥാർത്ഥ ഫലം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svargakhaṇḍa 3.11)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अक्रोधनश्च = अक्रोधनः + च (विसर्ग-लोप). राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र (ए + इ → ए; अनुस्वार-लेखन: जि/न्द्र). आत्मोपमश्च = आत्मोपमः + च (विसर्ग-लोप). तीर्थफलमश्नुते = तीर्थफलम् + अश्नुते.
FAQs
The verse teaches that pilgrimage bears its true fruit when the pilgrim cultivates inner virtues—freedom from anger, truthfulness, firm vows, and empathy toward all beings.
It makes external practice (tīrtha-yātrā) secondary to inner transformation, implying that moral character is what converts ritual travel into genuine spiritual merit.
It promotes empathy and non-harm by urging one to treat all beings as oneself, a key dharmic principle that supports compassion and restraint.