Shloka 38
Description of the Pilgrimage to the Sacred Tīrthas
Kurukṣetra-yātrā-krama
प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य पुष्करं च ततो व्रजेत् । तत्र स्नात्वा पितॄन्प्रार्च्य कृतकृत्यो नरो भवेत् ॥ ३८ ॥
pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya puṣkaraṃ ca tato vrajet | tatra snātvā pitṝnprārcya kṛtakṛtyo naro bhavet || 38 ||
प्रदक्षिणां समाप्योपावृत्य, ततः पुष्करं व्रजेत्। तत्र स्नात्वा पितॄन् सम्यक् प्रार्च्य, कृतकृत्यो नरो भवेत्॥
Narada (teaching in a tirtha-mahatmya context; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that tīrtha-yātrā becomes spiritually complete when paired with right conduct: circumambulation, sacred bathing at Puṣkara, and honoring the Pitṛs—thus making one “kṛtakṛtya,” fulfilled in duty and merit.
Bhakti here is expressed through reverent action at a holy place—pradakṣiṇā, snāna, and worship—showing devotion as embodied practice that includes gratitude to lineage (Pitṛs) and respect for dharmic order.
It highlights kalpa/prayoga (ritual procedure): the ordered steps of pradakṣiṇā, tīrtha-snānā, and pitṛ-ārādhana (ancestral worship), which align with śrauta/smārta ritual discipline rather than grammar or astrology.