Shloka 20
Glory of Puruṣottama: Pañcatīrthī Observance and Narasiṃha Worship
मार्कण्डेयह्रदे त्वेवं स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा च शंकरम् । दशानामश्वमेधानां फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥ २० ॥
mārkaṇḍeyahrade tvevaṃ snātvā dṛṣṭvā ca śaṃkaram | daśānāmaśvamedhānāṃ phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ || 20 ||
ఈ విధంగా మార్కండేయ హ్రదంలో స్నానం చేసి, శంకరుని దర్శించిన మనిషి పది అశ్వమేధ యాగాల ఫలంతో సమానమైన పుణ్యాన్ని పొందుతాడు.
Narada (as narrator/teacher within the Uttara-Bhaga Tirtha-Mahatmya discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates tīrtha-sevā—bathing at a sacred site and having darśana of Śaṅkara—as a powerful dharmic act whose merit is portrayed as equivalent to major Vedic royal sacrifices, emphasizing accessible spiritual uplift through pilgrimage.
By highlighting Śaṅkara-darśana (devotional beholding of the deity) alongside tīrtha-snāna, it frames bhakti as a direct, grace-oriented practice that can yield great spiritual merit without requiring elaborate sacrificial capacity.
The verse reflects Kalpa/Śrauta context by referencing the Aśvamedha as a benchmark of ritual merit, while redirecting the practitioner toward tīrtha-snāna and darśana as a practical, widely accessible dharmic observance.