Shloka 16
अग्निष्टोमातिरात्राभ्यां फलं प्राप्नोति पुण्यकृत् । ततः संध्यां समासाद्य विद्यातीर्थमनुत्तमम्
agniṣṭomātirātrābhyāṃ phalaṃ prāpnoti puṇyakṛt | tataḥ saṃdhyāṃ samāsādya vidyātīrthamanuttamam
പുണ്യകർമ്മം ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ അഗ്നിഷ്ടോമവും അതിരാത്രവും എന്ന യാഗങ്ങളുടെ തുല്യഫലം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു. തുടർന്ന് സന്ധ്യാസ്ഥലത്തെ എത്തി ‘വിദ്യാ-തീർത്ഥം’ എന്ന അനുത്തമ പുണ്യതീർത്ഥം ലഭിക്കുന്നു.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa; broader dialogue context not provided in the input).
Concept: Merit gained through tīrtha practice can equal major soma-yajñas and culminate in higher ‘vidyā’ (sanctified knowledge).
Application: Treat learning as a sacred discipline: combine study with purity practices (snāna, sandhyā, japa), and seek environments that elevate attention and ethics.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim moves through a sacred itinerary: first a ritual ground suggested by a distant soma-altar silhouette, then a tranquil ford named Saṃdhyā where the sky meets water in perfect balance. Beyond it lies Vidyā-tīrtha—an emerald pool beside a small library-like hermitage, where palm-leaf manuscripts and a glowing lamp symbolize ‘unsurpassed knowledge’.","primary_figures":["pilgrim-seeker","sage-guardian of Vidyā-tīrtha","ritual priests (as distant silhouettes)"],"setting":"river ford at twilight (saṃdhyā) leading to a secluded hermitage-pool (Vidyā-tīrtha) with manuscripts and a small shrine","lighting_mood":"divine radiance at twilight—violet sky with a golden horizon line","color_palette":["twilight violet","horizon gold","emerald green","sandalwood beige","ink black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Saṃdhyā ford with a luminous horizon, pilgrim offering arghya, then Vidyā-tīrtha pool beside a shrine and manuscript stand, heavy gold-leaf on halos, water highlights, and ornamental borders; rich crimson and emerald garments with gem-studded detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate twilight gradient over a calm ford, pilgrim crossing toward a quiet hermitage with palm-leaf manuscripts, cool purples and greens, fine brushwork on ripples and trees, refined sage figure seated near a lamp, lyrical serenity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized banded sky for saṃdhyā, bold outlines of pilgrim and sage, manuscript motifs rendered as decorative rectangles, warm reds/yellows/greens with black contouring, temple-wall symmetry and floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vidyā-tīrtha pool framed by lotus and manuscript motifs, peacocks near the water, ornate floral borders, deep blue-violet ground with gold highlights, devotional composition emphasizing sacred learning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["evening bells","soft water lapping","distant Vedic chant","crickets","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विद्यातीर्थम्+अनुत्तमम् → विद्यातीर्थमनुत्तमम्.
FAQs
It equates the merit gained here with the renowned Vedic sacrifices Agniṣṭoma and Atirātra, presenting tīrtha-related practice as capable of granting results comparable to major śrauta rites.
Vidyā-tīrtha is presented as an ‘unsurpassed’ sacred ford/place associated with spiritual attainment; the verse frames it as a destination reached after accruing great merit.
The verse implies that consistent meritorious conduct and reverence toward sacred places lead to elevated results; spiritual progress is portrayed as cumulative—earned through sustained virtue and right practice.