Shloka 47
Tīrtha-Māhātmya of the Sarasvatī Region and the Praise of Kurukṣetra
Pilgrimage Merits
तत्र स्नात्वा नरव्याघ्र न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् । फलानि गोसहस्राणां चतुर्णां विंदते च सः
tatra snātvā naravyāghra na durgatimavāpnuyāt | phalāni gosahasrāṇāṃ caturṇāṃ viṃdate ca saḥ
Tendo-se banhado ali, ó tigre entre os homens, não cai na desventura nem em destino funesto; e alcança o mérito equivalente à dádiva de quatro mil vacas.
Unspecified (narrator/teacher addressing a listener as 'naravyāghra')
Concept: Bathing at a powerful tīrtha protects from evil destiny and grants immense merit comparable to major charity.
Application: When facing fear of decline—ethical, mental, or spiritual—seek purifying practices: pilgrimage, bathing with prayer, charity, and renewed vows.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A heroic pilgrim addressed as 'naravyāghra' steps into luminous sacred waters while shadowy forms of 'durgati' dissolve like smoke behind him. Above, an unseen Viṣṇu-presence is suggested by a faint śaṅkha-cakra aura, and a symbolic procession of cows appears as a golden merit-vision.","primary_figures":["pilgrim (naravyāghra)","personified Durgati (shadowy, dissolving)","subtle Viṣṇu aura (śaṅkha-cakra)","symbolic cows (merit-vision)"],"setting":"tīrtha-ghāṭa with a small Vaishnava shrine, banyan tree, offerings on steps","lighting_mood":"divine radiance breaking through mist","color_palette":["radiant gold","mist white","river turquoise","smoke gray","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: pilgrim bathing at a sacred ghāṭa, with gold leaf radiance on water and a śaṅkha-cakra aura above; shadowy durgati figures dissolving at the edge; symbolic golden cows in the background as merit imagery; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry on shrine icons, embossed gold borders with lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene ghāṭa scene with delicate ripples and mist; the pilgrim’s calm face contrasted with faint smoky silhouettes fading away; soft turquoise and pale gold palette, small Vaishnava shrine under a tree, refined detailing of offerings and steps.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized waves, central bathing figure; durgati shown as dark patterned forms retreating; Viṣṇu symbols in a radiant circular motif; red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall framing and ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: tīrtha scene framed by lotus borders; deep blue water with gold highlights; symbolic cows arranged in decorative procession; peacocks and floral vines on margins; subtle Vaishnava emblems (conch, discus) integrated into the border design."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","conch shell","soft chanting","wind through banyan leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् = दुर्गतिम् + अवाप्नुयात्; गोसहस्राणां (समास) = गो + सहस्राणाम्.
FAQs
It presents tīrtha-snāna (ritual bathing at a sacred site) as a powerful purifier: it prevents ‘durgati’ (an adverse spiritual destiny) and grants substantial merit.
Go-dāna (donation of cows) is a classic benchmark for great religious merit in Purāṇic literature; the verse uses it as a familiar measure to express the magnitude of tīrtha-snāna’s spiritual ‘fruit’.
The verse encourages sincere engagement with sacred practices—especially pilgrimage and purification rites—while framing them in terms of moral consequence (avoiding durgati) and positive spiritual gain (puṇya).