Shloka 15
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
मतंगस्य तु केदारं तत्रैव भरतर्षभ । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्
mataṃgasya tu kedāraṃ tatraiva bharatarṣabha | tatra snātvā naro rājangosahasraphalaṃ labhet
मतङ्गस्य तु केदारं तत्रैव भरतर्षभ । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन् गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् ॥
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan) and Bharata-hero (bharatarṣabha) within a tīrtha-māhātmya dialogue
Concept: Snāna at a rṣi-siddha tīrtha yields the merit of great charity (thousand-cow gift).
Application: Practice generosity within means, and pair it with inner cleanliness—truthfulness, restraint, and reverent remembrance during any sacred bath.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene forest-hermitage tīrtha labeled ‘Mataṅga-kedāra’ lies beside a calm bathing ghat, with deer and ascetics moving quietly among sal trees. A kingly pilgrim, humbled, steps into the water while a visionary sage Mataṅga appears near a simple shrine, blessing the act as equal to gifting a thousand cows.","primary_figures":["Pilgrim king (rājan)","Sage Mataṅga","Forest ascetics"],"setting":"Forest tīrtha with stone steps, a modest Kedāra-shrine marker, hermitage huts, and sacred trees","lighting_mood":"forest dappled with soft afternoon light","color_palette":["moss green","sandalwood beige","river turquoise","ochre","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central bathing ghat and small Kedāra shrine under a carved arch; sage Mataṅga with gold leaf halo and ornate borders; the king-pilgrim with jeweled crown set aside in humility; rich reds/greens, gold leaf highlights, temple-lamp ambience.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate forest scene with fine leaves, gentle river, small shrine; Mataṅga seated in meditation with subtle aura; the king entering water; cool greens and blues, refined faces, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized trees and water ripples; Mataṅga and the king in profile with large eyes; warm reds/yellows/greens, ornamental floral border suggesting sacred enclosure.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders and lotus motifs around the tīrtha; symbolic cows in the border panels to signify go-sahasra-phala; central scene of snāna and sage blessing; deep indigo background with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft water lapping","distant temple bell","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रैव = तत्र + एव; राजन्गोसहस्रफलं = राजन् + गोसहस्रफलम्
FAQs
It locates a specific tīrtha—“Mataṅga’s Kedāra”—and treats it as a recognized pilgrimage site where ritual bathing is prescribed as spiritually efficacious.
It equates the merit of bathing at the tīrtha with the famed charitable act of gifting a thousand cows, showing how tīrtha-snānā is presented as a potent ritual act comparable to major dāna.
The comparison encourages accessible righteousness: even those unable to perform grand donations can pursue spiritual merit through disciplined pilgrimage and sacred bathing at revered sites.