Shloka 42
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
सप्तगोदावरीं स्नात्वा नियतो नियताशनः । महापुण्यमवाप्नोति देवलोकं च गच्छति
saptagodāvarīṃ snātvā niyato niyatāśanaḥ | mahāpuṇyamavāpnoti devalokaṃ ca gacchati
സപ്തഗോദാവരിയിൽ സ്നാനം ചെയ്ത്, നിയന്ത്രിതനായി മിതാഹാരിയായി കഴിയുന്നവൻ മഹാപുണ്യം പ്രാപിക്കുകയും ദേവലോകത്തേക്കും പോകുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു.
Unspecified (narratorial/teachings context not provided in the excerpt)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सप्तगोदावरीं = सप्त-गोदावरीम्; नियताशनः = नियत-आशनः; महापुण्यमवाप्नोति = महा-पुण्यम् अवाप्नोति।
FAQs
It presents tīrtha-bathing (snāna) as a merit-producing act, especially when done with self-restraint and purity of conduct, leading to “great merit” (mahāpuṇya).
It links outer ritual (bathing) with inner discipline (niyata, niyatāśana), implying that restraint and moderation intensify the spiritual efficacy of pilgrimage practices.
Sacred acts are not merely physical observances; they are meant to be supported by self-control and mindful living, which together lead to elevated spiritual results.