Shloka 99
Tīrtha-Māhātmya Sequence: Sacred Fords, Baths, Gifts, and Śrāddha
Narmadā-Belt Itinerary
योधनीपुरविख्यातं विष्णुतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । असुरा योधितास्तत्र वासुदेवेन कोटिशः
yodhanīpuravikhyātaṃ viṣṇutīrthamanuttamam | asurā yodhitāstatra vāsudevena koṭiśaḥ
Terdapat Viṣṇu-tīrtha yang tiada bandingan, masyhur sebagai Yodhanīpura. Di sana Vāsudeva telah berperang dan menundukkan para Asura berjumlah jutaan.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa pilgrimage description)
Concept: Vāsudeva is the supreme protector who subdues adharma; remembrance of his victories at sacred sites strengthens devotion and moral courage.
Application: When facing inner ‘asuras’ (anger, greed, addiction), anchor the mind in Vāsudeva’s protective power; visit Viṣṇu temples/tīrthas to renew resolve and align with dharma.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yodhanīpura’s Viṣṇu-tīrtha is shown as a river-ford beside an ancient battlefield now transformed into a sanctified landscape—broken weapons half-buried, lotuses blooming where conflict once raged. Vāsudeva stands radiant with śaṅkha and cakra, while shadowy asura hosts dissolve into light, and pilgrims offer water at the ford, feeling protected by the memory of divine victory.","primary_figures":["Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)","asura hosts (symbolic multitude)","pilgrims and priests","tīrtha guardians"],"setting":"Sacred ford near Yodhanīpura with remnants of a mythic battlefield, a Vaiṣṇava shrine, flags bearing śaṅkha-cakra, and a calm river reclaiming the land.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","chakra gold","storm violet","river turquoise","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vāsudeva at Viṣṇu-tīrtha in Yodhanīpura, standing on a lotus pedestal near the ghat, cakra rendered with embossed gold leaf, asuras in dynamic retreat, shrine arch heavy with gold and jewel tones; rich crimson-green textiles, ornate crowns, traditional iconography and decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical battlefield-turned-tīrtha—soft hills, river bend, delicate depiction of Vāsudeva with subtle halo, asuras as dark silhouettes dispersing; cool mountain palette with gold accents, refined facial features, intricate detailing of banners and lotuses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: heroic Vāsudeva with bold black outlines, large expressive eyes, cakra and śaṅkha prominent; asura ranks stylized in rhythmic patterns; temple-wall symmetry, red/yellow/green pigments with strong gold-ochre highlights.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Viṣṇu-tīrtha as a lotus mandala with central Vāsudeva, surrounded by concentric rings of śaṅkha-cakra motifs; outer ring shows miniature asura figures subdued; peacocks and floral borders, deep blue ground with gold and pink lotuses, Nathdwara-like ornamentation adapted to Vāsudeva."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple drums","cymbals","wind over river","chanting crowd"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुतीर्थमनुत्तमम् = विष्णुतीर्थम् + अनुत्तमम्; योधितास्तत्र = योधिताः + तत्र.
FAQs
It frames a specific place—Yodhanīpura—as a Viṣṇu-tīrtha whose sanctity is grounded in divine history, showing how Padma Purāṇa maps holiness onto named locations through mythic events.
By attributing the victory over vast Asuric forces to Vāsudeva, it spotlights Viṣṇu’s supremacy and protective power—central themes that inspire devotion and trust (bhakti) in the Lord.
The verse contrasts divine order with destructive forces, implying that arrogance and harm (Asuric tendencies) are ultimately overcome, while alignment with dharma and reverence for the divine leads to protection and auspiciousness.