Shloka 94
Tīrtha-Māhātmya Sequence: Sacred Fords, Baths, Gifts, and Śrāddha
Narmadā-Belt Itinerary
स्नातमात्रो नरस्तत्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । सोमग्रहे तु राजेंद्र पापक्षयकरं भवेत्
snātamātro narastatra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate | somagrahe tu rājeṃdra pāpakṣayakaraṃ bhavet
Dengan sekadar mandi di sana, seseorang terlepas daripada segala dosa. Dan wahai raja, jika mandi dilakukan ketika gerhana bulan, ia menjadi sebab yang sangat kuat untuk lenyapnya dosa.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājendra) within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue context
Concept: Sin-destruction is intensified when sacred action (snāna) is performed at a tīrtha during a liminal cosmic event (lunar eclipse).
Application: Use liminal times (eclipses, dawn, ekādaśī) for heightened sādhana—japa, charity, restraint—while maintaining ethical living as the baseline for ‘pāpa-kṣaya’.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Under a darkened sky where the moon is partially veiled, pilgrims stand waist-deep in the river at Soma-tīrtha, hands folded as the eclipse casts an otherworldly hush. A crescent-moon shrine glows with lamp-light on the bank, and the king addressed by the narrator watches respectfully, emphasizing royal endorsement of dharmic pilgrimage.","primary_figures":["pilgrims","a king (rājendra)","priests","Soma (symbolic moon presence)"],"setting":"River ford/ghāṭa at Soma-tīrtha with a moon-emblem shrine, eclipse sky overhead, clustered lamps and offerings on the steps.","lighting_mood":"moonlit with eclipse-shadow and temple lamp-lit accents","color_palette":["eclipse charcoal","moon-white","lamp-amber","deep river-blue","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Eclipse snāna at Soma-tīrtha with dramatic dark sky, gold-leaf lamp flames and shrine arch, embossed gold ripples on the river; rājendra figure in regal attire at the side; moon-disc partially covered rendered with metallic sheen, rich reds/greens for garments, ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Subtle eclipse atmosphere with graded charcoal-to-indigo sky, delicate figures in the river with folded hands; a small moon-emblem shrine lit by tiny lamps; refined facial expressions conveying awe and repentance, cool palette punctuated by warm amber lights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Bold-lined eclipse moon, stylized river and ghāṭa; central snāna figures with large expressive eyes; rājendra in profile with royal ornaments; strong contrasts of indigo, ochre, and lamp-yellow, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Deep blue river field with gold wave motifs, eclipse moon medallion at top, rows of lamps along the ghāṭa; intricate floral borders and lotus clusters; pilgrims in rhythmic repeated poses, creating a devotional pattern; moon-emblem shrine central, gold highlights throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","hushed crowd murmur","flowing water","ritual silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरस्तत्र = नरः + तत्र.
FAQs
It praises bathing (snāna) at a sacred place, stating that even a simple bath there frees a person from sins.
The verse says that bathing during a lunar eclipse intensifies the result, becoming especially effective for the destruction of sins (pāpa-kṣaya).
It emphasizes purification through disciplined sacred practice—using auspicious times and holy places to support moral and spiritual renewal.