Shloka 8
Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
तस्मिन्मनुष्यबहुलैर्जलस्नानविचित्रितैः । यत्रोत्सुकैः प्रयातैस्तु भूमिपालैः समंततः ॥ ८ ॥
tasminmanuṣyabahulairjalasnānavicitritaiḥ | yatrotsukaiḥ prayātaistu bhūmipālaiḥ samaṃtataḥ || 8 ||
அந்த புனித இடத்தில் பலர் திரண்டிருந்தனர்; நீராடலின் பலவகை காட்சிகளால் அது அழகுபெற்றது. மேலும் ஆர்வத்துடன் எல்லாத் திசைகளிலிருந்தும் வந்த பூபாலர்கள் (அரசர்கள்) அங்கே இருந்தனர்।
Narada (narrating within the Tirtha-Mahatmya section; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara contextually implied)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It highlights the magnetic sanctity of a tirtha: the holy place becomes spiritually vibrant through communal water-bathing (snana), drawing not only common pilgrims but even kings, indicating widespread faith in tirtha-mahatmya.
By portraying eager travel and reverent bathing at a sacred site, the verse reflects bhakti expressed through pilgrimage practices—approaching holy places with enthusiasm and humility as part of lived devotion.
Ritual practice is implied: tirtha-snana as a dharmic observance (a smriti-aligned rite). While no single Vedanga is named, the verse supports kalpa-style ritual discipline through prescribed sacred bathing and pilgrimage conduct.