Shloka 125
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
नास्ति श्रद्धासमं तीर्थं संसारे प्राणिनां नृप । श्रद्धाभावेन संयुक्तो मामेवं परिसंस्मरेत्
nāsti śraddhāsamaṃ tīrthaṃ saṃsāre prāṇināṃ nṛpa | śraddhābhāvena saṃyukto māmevaṃ parisaṃsmaret
Wahai nṛpa, dalam dunia ini bagi semua makhluk tiada tīrtha yang menyamai śraddhā. Bahkan orang yang disertai kekurangan iman pun hendaklah mengingati-Ku demikian, dengan ingatan yang teguh.
Unspecified (addressing a king, nṛpa)
Concept: Faith is the highest tīrtha; even the faithless should practice steady remembrance of the Lord—smaraṇa as a lifeline.
Application: When motivation is low, keep a small daily anchor—repeat a divine name, read a verse, or offer a brief prayer; treat consistency as the bridge to renewed faith.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weary traveler stands before many signposts to famous pilgrimages, yet a luminous lotus rises from his heart labeled ‘śraddhā’, transforming the dusty road into a sacred ford. Above, Vishnu appears in gentle radiance, inviting remembrance; even a dim, flickering lamp of devotion is shown protected from wind, symbolizing smaraṇa despite doubt.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (Narayana)","rājā (king)","ṛṣi (teacher)","symbolic pilgrim (everyperson)","personified Śraddhā (lotus-light)"],"setting":"crossroads near a river ford with distant temple silhouettes; inner-heart lotus motif superimposed as sacred geography","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver white","lotus pink","soft gold","river-teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu in the upper register with gold leaf halo and ornate crown, below a king and sage, and a pilgrim at a crossroads where a heart-lotus labeled śraddhā glows like a tīrtha, heavy gold embellishment, rich reds/greens, intricate arch and border patterns, jewel-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: moonlit pilgrimage crossroads with delicate brushwork, cool blues and silvers, a subtle glowing lotus at the pilgrim’s chest, Vishnu appearing softly in the sky, refined faces and lyrical landscape with a river bend and distant shrines.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Vishnu’s calm visage above, the heart-lotus of śraddhā rendered as a stylized emblem, strong red/yellow/green pigments balanced with deep blue, temple-wall composition with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus mandala of Śraddhā as the greatest tīrtha, Vishnu/Krishna presence overseeing, surrounding vignettes of pilgrims and temples, intricate floral borders with lotuses and tulasi-like foliage motifs, deep indigo background with gold and pink highlights, peacocks at corners."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft conch shell","flowing water","night insects","single temple bell at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नास्ति = न + अस्ति. मामेवं = माम् एवम्.
FAQs
It elevates inner faith above external pilgrimage, stating that no tīrtha equals śraddhā for beings living in saṃsāra.
It centers devotional practice on remembrance of the Divine (smaraṇa), implying that sincere inner orientation is spiritually decisive.
Cultivate faith and steady recollection rather than relying only on outward religious acts; inner disposition is presented as the true sacred ‘place’.