Shloka 6
The Greatness of Kāśī (Avimukta): Pilgrimage Calendar, Yātrā-Dharma, and the Network of Śiva-Liṅgas
मार्कंडेयह्रदस्थैस्तु स्नानपूजनतत्परैः । कृता यक्षैस्तु यात्रेयमिषमासे वरानने ॥ ६ ॥
mārkaṃḍeyahradasthaistu snānapūjanatatparaiḥ | kṛtā yakṣaistu yātreyamiṣamāse varānane || 6 ||
அழகிய முகத்தையுடையவளே, மார்கண்டேய ஹ்ரதத்தில் தங்கியிருந்து ஸ்நானமும் பூஜையும் செய்யத் திளைத்த யக்ஷர்கள் இஷ மாதத்தில் இத்தீர்த்தயாத்திரையைச் செய்தனர்.
Narada (narrating a Tirtha-mahatmya account within Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights tirtha-yatra as a disciplined practice—staying at a sacred lake and performing snana (ritual bathing) and puja (worship)—showing that such acts, done with devotion and proper timing, are spiritually meritorious.
Bhakti is implied through “snāna-pūjana-tatpara”—steadfast dedication to worship; the verse frames pilgrimage not as travel alone but as sustained, devotional service at a holy site.
It points to kalā/kalpa-oriented ritual discipline and time-keeping—observing an auspicious month (“Iṣa-māsa”) for yatra, aligning pilgrimage practice with traditional sacred calendrics.