Shloka 120
Description of the Pilgrimage to the Sacred Tīrthas
Kurukṣetra-yātrā-krama
स्नात्वा प्राचीसरस्वत्यां श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः । दुर्लभं प्राप्नुयात्कामं देहांते स्वर्गतिं लभेत् ॥ १२० ॥
snātvā prācīsarasvatyāṃ śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ | durlabhaṃ prāpnuyātkāmaṃ dehāṃte svargatiṃ labhet || 120 ||
प्राचीसरस्वत्यां स्नात्वा विधिवत् श्राद्धं कृत्वा, दुर्लभमपि काम्यं फलम् अवाप्नुयात्; देहान्ते च स्वर्गगतिं लभेत् ॥
Suta (narrating Narada Purana’s Uttara-bhaga Tirtha-Mahatmya passage)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that tīrtha-snāna (sacred bathing) combined with properly performed śrāddha generates powerful puṇya: it supports worldly attainments (kāma-siddhi) and also leads to a favorable post-death destiny (svarga-gati).
While centered on ritual merit, the verse aligns with Purāṇic bhakti-culture by emphasizing reverent, rule-based sacred actions at a tīrtha—acts typically performed with remembrance of the divine and gratitude to the Pitṛs, which purify the heart and support devotional life.
It highlights Kalpa (ritual procedure) through the phrase vidhānataḥ—performing śrāddha exactly by prescribed rules—indicating the importance of correct rite-structure, offerings, and timing as taught in dharma/kalpa traditions.