Shloka 14
Glorification of Vārāṇasī: Kapardīśvara Liṅga and the Piśācamocana Tīrtha
ब्रह्महत्यादयः पापा विनश्यंत्यस्य पूजनात् । पिशाचमोचने कुंडे स्नातः स्यात्प्रशमो यतः
brahmahatyādayaḥ pāpā vinaśyaṃtyasya pūjanāt | piśācamocane kuṃḍe snātaḥ syātpraśamo yataḥ
Pecados como o de matar um brāhmaṇa e outros são destruídos pela adoração deste (tīrtha/divindade). E, ao banhar-se no lago Piśāca-mocana, alcança-se a serenidade, pois é um lugar que concede pacificação.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to confirm the dialogue frame, e.g., Pulastya–Bhīṣma).
Concept: Tīrtha-sevā (worship and sacred bathing) functions as prāyaścitta: it dissolves heavy pāpa and yields inner peace (praśama).
Application: Pair outer cleansing with inner: visit a sacred waterbody/temple when possible; otherwise perform ‘mānasa-snān’ (mental purification), confession, and a concrete reparative act to cultivate praśama.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stone-lined sacred pond glimmers, its surface dotted with lotus leaves; steps descend into clear water that seems to glow from within. A penitent pilgrim enters the kuṇḍa while priests chant; shadowy ‘piśāca’ forms dissolve into mist at the water’s edge, replaced by a calm, luminous aura around the bather.","primary_figures":["pilgrim/penitent","temple priest","Kapardīśvara shrine presence (background)"],"setting":"Kuṇḍa with ghāṭa steps, small shrines, hanging bells, and offerings of flowers and lamps floating on the water.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["turquoise water","lotus pink","stone beige","smoke grey","ritual gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Piśāca-mocana Kuṇḍa with gold leaf highlights on ripples and lamps, richly ornamented priest figures, embossed lotus motifs, shrine arch in the background, dramatic contrast between dark ‘piśāca’ silhouettes and radiant water, jewel-toned reds and greens.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant stepped pond with delicate lotus rendering, soft atmospheric perspective, subtle depiction of dissolving shadows as pale washes, refined pilgrims in simple garments, cool blues and gentle pinks, serene Himalayan-like compositional calm even if the locale is unspecified.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa geometry, bold outlines for figures, symbolic ‘piśāca’ forms as dark motifs fading into patterned water, warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall narrative clarity with a central bathing act.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders and lotus patterns surrounding a central kuṇḍa, rows of lamps on steps, peacocks and swans near the water, deep indigo background with gold detailing; depict the transformation from darkness to peace through symmetrical design."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","mantra chanting","temple bells","conch shell","soft footsteps on stone steps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विनश्यंत्यस्य = विनश्यन्ति + अस्य; पिशाचमोचने (समास) qualifies कुंडे; स्यात्प्रशमो = स्यात् + प्रशमः.
FAQs
The verse praises two connected acts: worship (pūjā) of the sacred focus being described, and bathing (snāna) in the Piśācamocana pond, both said to destroy sins and bring peace.
It is a named sacred pond (kuṇḍa) associated with ‘piśāca-mocana’—liberation from afflictions linked with piśācas (malevolent spirits/impurities)—and is described as granting praśama (tranquility).
It emphasizes purification and inner calm through disciplined religious acts—reverent worship and sacred bathing—presented as means for atonement (prāyaścitta) and pacification of distress.