Shloka 24
The Glory of Gayā and the Pilgrimage Circuit of Allied Tīrthas
मणिनागं ततो गच्छेद्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । नैत्यकं भुंजते यस्तु मणिनागस्य मानवः
maṇināgaṃ tato gacchedgosahasraphalaṃ labhet | naityakaṃ bhuṃjate yastu maṇināgasya mānavaḥ
പിന്നെ മണിനാഗത്തിലേക്കു പോയാൽ ആയിരം പശുദാനഫലത്തിന് തുല്യമായ പുണ്യം ലഭിക്കും. എന്നാൽ മണിനാഗന്റെ നൈത്യകം (നിത്യ നൈവേദ്യം) ഭുജിക്കുന്ന മനുഷ്യന് ആ ഫലം ലഭിക്കുകയില്ല.
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within the chapter’s tīrtha-māhātmya context)
Concept: Tīrtha merit depends not only on visiting but on ethical restraint: do not consume what is dedicated to the deity (naityaka), or the promised fruit is obstructed.
Application: Respect boundaries around sacred/communal offerings; avoid entitlement in religious spaces; practice integrity—do not take what is not given, even if ‘small’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene nāga-tīrtha: a clear spring shaded by ancient trees, with a stone icon of Maṇināga crowned by a jewel-like hood. Pilgrims offer flowers and water, while a subtle caution is shown—an offering plate marked as ‘naityaka’ remains untouched, emphasizing dharmic restraint as the key to receiving go-sahasra merit.","primary_figures":["Maṇināga (nāga deity)","pilgrims with offerings","temple attendant/priest"],"setting":"spring-fed pond with stone steps, nāga shrine with serpent canopy, forest shade, offering platform","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["jade green","turquoise","sandstone beige","ruby red","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Maṇināga as a central serpent-deity with gemmed hood and gold leaf halo, pilgrims offering flowers at a stepped pond; a prominently depicted untouched naityaka plate to signify restraint; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, gold leaf on hood scales and halo.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil spring scene with delicate ripples, slender trees, Maṇināga shrine nestled in nature; pilgrims in soft garments, refined faces; emphasis on quiet ethical moment—hands folded, offering plate left undisturbed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Maṇināga with bold outlines and patterned scales, shrine and pond in flat iconic layout; attendants holding lamps and flowers; strong red/yellow/green palette with temple-wall compositional balance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative nāga shrine framed by lotus and floral borders; symmetrical offering arrangements, peacocks and vines; deep blue ground with gold highlights, emphasizing sacred water and auspicious abundance (go-sahasra symbolism via cow motifs in border medallions)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["water dripping","leaf rustle","soft bell","distant cowbells (symbolic)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गच्छेत् + गोसहस्रफलम् → गच्छेद्गोसहस्रफलम् (त् + ग् = द्ग्)। यः + तु → यस्तु (विसर्ग/सन्धि-रूप)।
FAQs
The verse states that going to Maṇināga yields merit equal to the fruit of donating a thousand cows (go-sahasra-phala).
It cautions that a person who eats the daily offering (naityaka) belonging to Maṇināga does not gain the stated merit—implying a rule of respecting offerings associated with the sacred site/deity.
Respect for sacred property and offerings: pilgrimage merit is linked not only to visiting a place but also to proper conduct, especially refraining from consuming offerings meant for the deity/guardian of the tīrtha.