Shloka 19
Merits of Vitastā, Devikā, Rudrakoṭī and Sarasvatī Sacred Fords
स्नात्वा तु चमसोद्भेदे अग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत् । शिवोद्भेदे नरः स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्
snātvā tu camasodbhede agniṣṭomaphalaṃ labhet | śivodbhede naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṃ labhet
Dengan mandi suci di Camasodbheda, seseorang memperoleh pahala setara yajña Agniṣṭoma. Dengan mandi suci di Śivodbheda, seseorang memperoleh pahala setara sedekah seribu ekor lembu.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa tīrtha-māhātmya context)
Concept: Snāna at a properly praised tīrtha can confer yajña- and dāna-equivalent puṇya, making spiritual uplift accessible through devotion and pilgrimage.
Application: Undertake pilgrimage or local sacred-water worship with sincerity; substitute ostentatious ritualism with humble, disciplined observance and charity according to capacity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene river-ford splits into two luminous bathing ghāṭas marked by ancient stone śilās: one inscribed with a tiny sacrificial fire-altar motif (Agniṣṭoma), the other crowned by a subtle Śiva-liṅga emblem. Pilgrims step into the water with folded hands as the surface glitters like molten mantra, suggesting unseen merit rising like incense.","primary_figures":["pilgrims (men and women)","tīrtha-devatā (subtle, semi-transparent)","Agni (symbolic altar-flame)","Śiva (iconic presence as liṅga-emblem)"],"setting":"Riverbank tīrtha with twin ghāṭas, old banyan and peepal trees, small shrine niches, ritual vessels and towels on stone steps.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron gold","river-jade green","ash white","vermillion red","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: twin sacred ghāṭas at Camasodbheda and Śivodbheda, pilgrims performing snāna with brass kumbhas, a small Agni altar motif on one side and a Śiva-liṅga shrine on the other, heavy gold leaf halos around the tīrtha-devatā, rich reds and greens, ornate borders, gem-studded ornaments on attendant figures, South Indian temple-step geometry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate river-ford scene with soft ripples, slender pilgrims in simple white cloth, tiny shrine with liṅga under a tree, distant hills and pale sky, cool greens and blues, refined faces, lyrical naturalism, fine linework for water shimmer suggesting Agniṣṭoma merit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized ghāṭa steps and trees, pilgrims with expressive eyes, symbolic Agni flame and liṅga rendered iconically, natural pigment palette dominated by red/yellow/green, temple-wall aesthetic with rhythmic patterns on the river surface.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders and lotus motifs framing a sacred snāna-ghāṭa, peacocks near the water, subtle Vaishnava auspicious symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) in the border to reflect Padma’s devotional milieu, deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","soft conch shell","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: camasodbhede → camasa + udbhede (a + u → o); agniṣṭomaphalaṃ is tatpurusha; gosahasraphalaṃ is tatpurusha with internal compound go+sahasra; labhet is optative 3sg ātmanepada.
FAQs
It teaches that bathing (snāna) at specific sacred sites (tīrthas) yields spiritual merit comparable to major Vedic rites (Agniṣṭoma) and great gifts (donation of a thousand cows).
They are presented as names of tīrthas (sacred bathing places). The verse highlights their māhātmya (sanctifying power) by equating their bath-merit with renowned religious acts.
It underscores the Purāṇic idea that accessible devotional acts—like tīrtha-bathing performed with faith—can confer merit traditionally associated with costly sacrifices or large-scale charity.