Shloka 61
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
समुद्रा यत्र चत्वारो निवसंति युधिष्ठिर । ततोपस्पृश्य राजेंद्र कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्
samudrā yatra catvāro nivasaṃti yudhiṣṭhira | tatopaspṛśya rājeṃdra kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam
யுதிஷ்டிரனே! எங்கு நான்கு சமுத்திரங்களும் தங்கியுள்ளனவோ, அங்கே, அரசர்களின் தலைவனே, நீர்த் தொடுதலால் சுத்தி செய்து, அந்தப் புனிதத் தலத்தைப் பிரதட்சிணம் செய்து…
Unspecified narrator addressing Yudhiṣṭhira (dialogue context not provided in the input)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततोपस्पृश्य = ततः + उपस्पृश्य; चापि = च + अपि; राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र (ए + इ → ए).
FAQs
It uses a cosmographic marker—“where the four oceans abide”—to locate an exceptionally sacred region, implying that certain tīrthas are described in relation to the Purāṇic world-map rather than only to local terrestrial geography.
By prescribing reverential acts—purificatory water-rite (upaspṛśya/ācamana) and pradakṣiṇā—it frames devotion as embodied practice: approaching the sacred with purity and respectful circumambulation.
The verse models disciplined reverence: before engaging a sacred place, one should purify oneself and perform respectful conduct, emphasizing humility, restraint, and ritual attentiveness.