Shloka 48
Kurukṣetra and Sarasvatī Tīrthas: Pilgrimage Itinerary and the Sanctification of Rāma-hrada
Paraśurāma’s Lakes
केव्यास्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा लभते वीर्यमुत्तमम् । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र द्वारपालं लवर्णकम्
kevyāstīrthe naraḥ snātvā labhate vīryamuttamam | tato gaccheta rājeṃdra dvārapālaṃ lavarṇakam
Tendo-se banhado no tīrtha chamado Kevyā, o homem alcança vigor excelso. Depois, ó rei dos reis, deve seguir ao (lugar do) guardião do portal chamado Lavaṛṇaka.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājendra) within a tīrtha-māhātmya style passage
Concept: Pilgrimage is progressive: each tīrtha confers a specific refinement (here, vīrya) and leads the seeker through guarded thresholds of sanctity.
Application: Treat spiritual growth as staged: complete one discipline fully before moving to the next; honor ‘threshold practices’ (preparatory vows, cleanliness, restraint) before entering sacred spaces.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim bathes at a quiet ford named Kevyā, the water swirling around sacred stones, while a subtle aura of strength rises like warm breath from the river. Beyond the bank stands a guardian figure—Lavaṛṇaka—near a carved gateway, indicating the next stage of the journey into a protected holy domain.","primary_figures":["pilgrim","Lavaṛṇaka (dvārapāla/guardian)","attendant priests"],"setting":"Secluded river/pond ford with a stone gateway and small guardian shrine, travel path leading onward with waymarkers and flags.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["turquoise","sandstone ochre","copper","forest green","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kevyā-tīrtha snāna with a luminous water surface, the pilgrim in ornate dhoti, priests holding kalashas, and Lavaṛṇaka as a richly adorned dvārapāla beside a gilded gateway, heavy gold leaf on jewelry and arch motifs, saturated reds and greens, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate landscape with a small ford, delicate ripples, slender trees, a winding path to a carved gate where the dvārapāla stands, cool palette with gentle shading, refined facial features and lyrical travel narrative mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized guardian Lavaṛṇaka with bold outlines and commanding stance, the pilgrim emerging from the water with folded hands, patterned gateway panels, warm earthy pigments and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative pilgrimage panel with a central water oval labeled Kevyā, floral borders, small guardian shrine with flags, peacocks near the path, deep blue background with gold highlights to suggest sacred vigor and protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on stone steps","flowing water","handbell","distant conch","wind through trees"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: केव्यास्तीर्थे = केव्याः + तीर्थे; वीर्यमुत्तमम् = वीर्यम् + उत्तमम्; राजेंद्र = राज + इन्द्र (समास) + सम्बोधन; (IAST rājeṃdra = rāje + indra, anusvāra/ṃ for sandhi)
FAQs
It states that bathing at Kevyā-tīrtha grants “uttama vīrya”—excellent vigor or potency.
Lavaṛṇaka is identified as a “dvārapāla” (gatekeeper), presented as the next destination in the pilgrimage sequence described here.
The verse emphasizes disciplined pilgrimage practice: performing purifying acts (snāna) and then proceeding in an ordered way to the next sacred point, suggesting steadiness and reverence in spiritual observance.