Shloka 7
Merits of Vitastā, Devikā, Rudrakoṭī and Sarasvatī Sacred Fords
ततो निवृत्तो राजेंद्र रुद्रास्पदमथाविशेत् । अभिगम्य महादेवमश्वमेधफलं लभेत्
tato nivṛtto rājeṃdra rudrāspadamathāviśet | abhigamya mahādevamaśvamedhaphalaṃ labhet
അതിനുശേഷം, ഹേ രാജേന്ദ്രാ, മടങ്ങി രുദ്രന്റെ പാവനധാമത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിക്കണം. അവിടെ മഹാദേവനെ സമീപിച്ചാൽ അശ്വമേധയാഗഫലം ലഭിക്കും.
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (context likely a Purāṇic narrator addressing a king, e.g., Pulastya instructing Bhīṣma).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājeṃdra → rāja + indra; rudrāspadam → rudra + āspadam; athāviśet → atha + āviśet; mahādevamaśvamedhaphalaṃ → mahādevam + aśvamedha-phalam.
FAQs
It states that entering Rudra’s abode and approaching Mahādeva grants merit equivalent to performing the Aśvamedha sacrifice.
Both names refer to Śiva—Rudra emphasizing his ancient Vedic identity, and Mahādeva meaning “the Great God.”
It elevates devotional approach and pilgrimage to Śiva’s sacred presence as a powerful spiritual act, comparable in merit to major ritual sacrifices.