Shloka 8

Ratnagrīva’s Pilgrimage and the Prescribed Procedure for Visiting Sacred Tīrthas

Devanagari script

ब्रूहि तत्तीर्थयात्रायां विधिं श्रुतिसमन्वितम् । विधिना केन संपूर्ण फलप्राप्तिर्नृणां भवेत्

Transliteration

brūhi tattīrthayātrāyāṃ vidhiṃ śrutisamanvitam | vidhinā kena saṃpūrṇa phalaprāptirnṛṇāṃ bhavet

Translation

ఆ తీర్థయాత్రకు శ్రుతిసమన్వితమైన విధానాన్ని నాకు చెప్పుము. ఏ విధానంతో మనుష్యులకు సంపూర్ణ ఫలప్రాప్తి కలుగును?

Word by Word

brūhitell

tatthat

tīrthayātrāyāmin the pilgrimage to sacred places

vidhimthe rule; procedure

śruti-samanvitamin accordance with the Vedas

vidhināby what procedure

kenaby which

saṃpūrṇācomplete, full

phalaprāptiḥattainment of the fruit/result

nṛṇāmof men

bhavetmay be; would occur

Speaker

Inquirer (a disciple/questioner addressing the teacher/narrator)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Spiritual results are ‘complete’ when practice is performed with proper vidhi grounded in śruti and guided instruction.

Application: Before adopting any religious practice, learn its ethical and procedural foundations; prioritize integrity over shortcuts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sincere inquirer leans forward, palms joined, asking for the Veda-harmonized procedure that makes pilgrimage truly fruitful. The teacher’s seat is flanked by palm-leaf śāstra and a small fire altar, visually linking travel to disciplined dharma.","primary_figures":["Inquirer/disciple","Teacher-sage (muni)"],"setting":"Hermitage teaching space with a low altar, manuscripts, and a path-marker indicating the route to a sacred ford.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp gold","copper brown","sage green","parchment tan","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: teacher-sage seated near a small ritual fire, manuscripts and śaṅkha-cakra motifs; inquirer in añjali asking for śruti-aligned vidhi; gold leaf flames and halos, rich reds/greens, ornate borders and jewelry detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet didactic scene with delicate lines; manuscripts rendered finely, small fire altar glowing; cool blues and greens with warm gold highlights, refined expressions emphasizing earnest inquiry.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized fire altar, bold outlines; teacher and disciple in formal poses; warm reds/yellows with green accents, temple-wall symmetry, large expressive eyes conveying seriousness.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: discourse scene framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; symbolic river steps in the background; deep blues and gold, intricate textile patterns, devotional calm with emphasis on regulated practice."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["low fire crackle","soft bell","page rustle","distant river murmur","steady tanpura drone"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: tattīrthayātrāyām = tat + tīrthayātrāyām; phalaprāptirnṛṇām = phalaprāptiḥ + nṛṇām (visarga sandhi); śrutisamanvitam is a tatpuruṣa compound.

FAQs

What is being asked in this verse?

The speaker asks for the śruti-consistent (Veda-aligned) rules of tīrtha-yātrā and how one can gain the full spiritual merit of such a pilgrimage.

Why does the verse emphasize “śruti-samanvitam” (aligned with śruti)?

It frames pilgrimage as a dharmic act that should be performed according to authoritative sacred guidance, not merely as travel or ritual formalism.

What ethical lesson does this question imply?

That spiritual acts should be done with right method and intention—seeking correct practice (vidhi) to ensure the act becomes meaningful and complete in its results.