Shloka 20
Description of the Origin of the Cosmic Egg (Brahmāṇḍa) and the Ocean as King of Tīrthas
तमो नाशं यथाभ्येति भास्करेऽभ्युदिते सति । कोट्यो नवनवत्यस्तु यत्र तीर्थानि संति वै ॥ २० ॥
tamo nāśaṃ yathābhyeti bhāskare'bhyudite sati | koṭyo navanavatyastu yatra tīrthāni saṃti vai || 20 ||
Seperti gelap lenyap apabila Surya terbit, demikianlah di wilayah suci itu benar-benar terdapat sembilan puluh sembilan koṭi tīrtha (99 krore).
Narada (narration within Tirtha-Mahatmya discourse; traditional dialogue frame: Narada and Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It uses the sunrise metaphor to teach that proximity to a powerful tīrtha dispels inner darkness (tamas/avidyā) and emphasizes the extraordinary sanctity of the region by describing an immense multitude of pilgrimage-forces.
By likening the Sun’s rise to the removal of darkness, it implies that contact with sacred presence—typically approached through श्रद्धा (faith), pilgrimage, and worship—naturally clears obscurations, supporting a bhakti-oriented practice centered on tīrtha-sevā and remembrance.
The verse points to Jyotiṣa-style imagery (the Sun’s rising as a marker of transformation) and supports practical tīrtha-dharma—planning pilgrimage and rites around auspicious times associated with solar movement—though it does not teach a technical Vedāṅga rule directly.