Shloka 4
Glorification of the Yamunā (Yamuna Mahatmya) and Prayāga’s Step-by-Step Aśvamedha Merit
कुलानि तारयेद्राजन्दशपूर्वान्दशापरान् । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो गच्छेत परमं पदम्
kulāni tārayedrājandaśapūrvāndaśāparān | mucyate sarvapāpebhyo gaccheta paramaṃ padam
Wahai Raja, dia menyelamatkan keturunannya—sepuluh generasi terdahulu dan sepuluh generasi kemudian; terbebas daripada segala dosa lalu mencapai kediaman tertinggi.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan) within the Svarga-khaṇḍa discourse context
Concept: Merit gained through tīrtha observance can uplift ancestors and descendants, destroy sins, and culminate in paramam padam (the supreme abode).
Application: Perform dharmic acts with a wider intention—include prayers for ancestors and future generations; cultivate responsibility as spiritual stewardship.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous ancestral procession appears above the Sangam waters: shadowy forebears and unborn descendants are shown being gently lifted by a stream of light rising from the pilgrim’s offerings. In the distance, a radiant gateway marked with conch and lotus suggests paramapada, while the river below washes away dark ink-like stains symbolizing sins.","primary_figures":["Ideal pilgrim (bhakta)","ancestral figures (pitṛs)","symbolic Viṣṇu gateway/Vaikuṇṭha arch"],"setting":"Confluence bank with a small tarpaṇa platform, brass vessels, sesame seeds, and kusa grass; celestial path opening in the sky.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["moonstone white","aqua blue","smoky violet","golden amber","sacred vermilion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central devotee offering tarpaṇa at Sangam; above, rows of ancestors with gold halos being elevated; a Vaikuṇṭha-like arch with conch-lotus motifs; heavy gold leaf for the celestial path, rich crimson-green borders, jewel-like highlights on vessels and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: ethereal ancestors in translucent washes rising into a pale sky; delicate riverbank ritual details (kusa, til, water pot); refined faces, soft gradients, poetic sense of liberation and lineage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized tiers of ancestors as patterned silhouettes; bold outlines of ritual platform; warm yellow-red background with a bright white-gold vertical beam indicating liberation; conch-disc motifs as decorative fillers.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical composition with Sangam as central lotus pool; border of floral vines; ancestors depicted as small haloed figures ascending in a gold stream; deep blue ground, intricate textile patterning, devotional iconography."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","low temple bell","soft wind","brief silence after 'paramaṁ padam'"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तारयेद्राजन् = तारयेत् + राजन्; दशपूर्वान्दशापरान् = दशपूर्वान् + दशापरान्; सर्वपापेभ्यो = सर्वपापेभ्यः (विसर्ग-लोपः पदान्ते).
FAQs
It expresses the traditional Purāṇic idea that a person’s spiritual merit can benefit a broad span of ancestors and descendants—symbolically emphasizing extended familial uplift rather than only the individual.
The verse states two results: freedom from all sins (sarva-pāpa) and attainment of the supreme abode (paramaṃ padam), i.e., liberation-oriented attainment.
Personal virtue and religious merit are presented as socially and genealogically consequential—encouraging responsibility, piety, and actions believed to uplift one’s wider family line.