The Saptarishis Seek Uma for Shiva: Himavan Grants the Marriage
देव्युवाच किं पुण्यं तत्र विप्रेन्द्र लब्धासि त्वं पृथूदके पथि स्नानेन च फलं केषु किं लब्दवानसि
devyuvāca kiṃ puṇyaṃ tatra viprendra labdhāsi tvaṃ pṛthūdake pathi snānena ca phalaṃ keṣu kiṃ labdavānasi
Богиня сказала: «Какую заслугу обретают там, о лучший из брахманов, в Притхудаке? И каков плод омовения по пути? В каких отношениях и что именно ты приобрёл?»
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The verse emphasizes intentionality in ritual: merit (puṇya) is not assumed but examined—what is gained, where, and by which act (snāna). It encourages reflective practice rather than mechanical observance.
This belongs to dharma/ācāra exposition (tīrtha and snāna results). It is a didactic strand that Purāṇas weave alongside the five marks, especially in māhātmya sections.
‘Bathing on the path’ symbolizes progressive purification: sanctity is not only at the destination tīrtha but also in the disciplined journey, where each act becomes a step of inner cleansing.