Shloka 31
Praise of Pilgrimage (Tīrtha) and Prelude to the Greatness of Prayāga
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । स्वागतं ते महाप्राज्ञ स्वागतं ते महामुने । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे पावितं कुलम्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | svāgataṃ te mahāprājña svāgataṃ te mahāmune | adya me saphalaṃ janma adya me pāvitaṃ kulam
യുധിഷ്ഠിരൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ മഹാപ്രാജ്ഞാ, സ്വാഗതം; ഹേ മഹാമുനേ, സ്വാഗതം. ഇന്ന് എന്റെ ജന്മം സഫലമായി; ഇന്ന് എന്റെ കുലം പാവനമായി.
Yudhiṣṭhira
Concept: Satkāra (honoring the saintly) makes life fruitful and purifies lineage.
Application: Welcome teachers/elders with sincere respect; practice hospitality, attentive listening, and service without pride.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a royal hall softened by ascetic presence, Yudhiṣṭhira rises from his seat with folded hands, eyes lowered in humility as a radiant sage arrives. The air feels washed clean—garlands sway, incense curls upward, and courtiers fall silent as if a living tīrtha has entered.","primary_figures":["Yudhiṣṭhira","Mārkaṇḍeya (as arriving sage)","attendants","court brāhmaṇas"],"setting":"Indraprastha-like royal sabhā with carved pillars, lotus motifs, and a threshold strewn with flowers; a small altar with lamps and water vessels near the entrance.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron ochre","ivory white","emerald green","vermillion red","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yudhiṣṭhira in regal attire stands with añjali-mudrā before sage Mārkaṇḍeya entering the sabhā; gold leaf halo around the sage, ornate pillars with lotus carvings, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments on the king, deep maroon backdrop, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, embossed gold detailing on garments and throne elements.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined court interior with delicate linework; Yudhiṣṭhira bows to Mārkaṇḍeya whose calm face glows softly; cool muted palette with lyrical naturalism, patterned carpets, slender pillars, gentle expressions, a hint of distant garden through an archway.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and warm natural pigments; the sage with large expressive eyes and serene smile, Yudhiṣṭhira in stylized royal costume; lamp-lit sabhā with lotus borders, red/yellow/green dominant palette, temple-wall aesthetic and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus and floral borders framing a royal welcome scene; peacocks perched on pillars, hanging garlands, deep indigo background with gold highlights; central figures—Yudhiṣṭhira offering welcome to the sage—rendered with intricate textile-like patterns and devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","incense crackle","hushed assembly","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महाप्राज्ञ = महा+प्राज्ञ (कर्मधारय); महामुने = महा+मुने (कर्मधारय).
FAQs
It highlights dharma through satkāra—honoring and welcoming sages—seen as spiritually fruitful and purifying for oneself and one’s family line.
Because meeting and honoring a great sage is treated as a rare, merit-giving event that validates one’s life and conduct in dharma.
Association with saintly persons and reverent reception are believed to sanctify not only the individual but also the broader family heritage through accrued puṇya (merit).