Shloka 23
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
तत्रैव च महाराज यक्षिणीं लोकविश्रुताम् । स््नात्वाभिगम्य राजेन्द्र सर्वान् कामानवाप्लुयात्,महाराज! वहीं लोकविख्यात यक्षिणीतीर्थ है। राजेन्द्र! उसमें जानेसे और स्नान करनेसे सम्पूर्ण कामनाओंकी पूर्ति होती है
tatraiva ca mahārāja yakṣiṇīṃ lokaviśrutām | snātvābhigamya rājendra sarvān kāmān avāpnuyāt ||
“Ali mesmo, ó grande rei, está o tīrtha da Yakṣiṇī, célebre no mundo. Ó senhor dos reis, quem ali for e se banhar alcança a realização de todos os desejos.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s tīrtha-ethic: approaching a sacred place with reverence and performing ritual bathing is presented as a potent means to gain desired outcomes, reflecting faith in the moral-spiritual efficacy (puṇya) of pilgrimage.
A speaker addresses a king and points out a famous Yakṣiṇī-associated sacred bathing spot, stating that visiting it and bathing there grants the fulfillment of all wishes—typical of the Vana Parva’s guidance through holy places and their promised fruits.