Shloka 21
The Glory of Śrāddha at Sacred Fords and the Determination of the Kutapa Time
कुरुक्षेत्राच्चद्विगुणं तस्मिन्स्नानादिकं भवेत् । शुक्लतीर्थं तु विख्यातं तीर्थं सोमेश्वरं परम्
kurukṣetrāccadviguṇaṃ tasminsnānādikaṃ bhavet | śuklatīrthaṃ tu vikhyātaṃ tīrthaṃ someśvaraṃ param
ఇక్కడ కురుక్షేత్రం కంటే రెండింతల పుణ్యం లభిస్తుంది; అక్కడ చేసిన స్నానాది పుణ్యకర్మలు తగిన ఫలాన్ని ఇస్తాయి. ఆ తీర్థం ‘శుక్లతీర్థం’గా ప్రసిద్ధి, అక్కడ పరమ తీర్థం సోమేశ్వరుడు.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to confirm the dialogue frame, e.g., Pulastya–Bhīṣma or Śiva–Pārvatī).
Concept: Snāna and rites at certain tīrthas multiply merit beyond even famed Kurukṣetra; place + practice together intensify dharma-phala.
Application: Approach pilgrimage as disciplined sādhanā: bathe with mantra, perform tarpaṇa/śrāddha/dāna as appropriate, and keep vows of truthfulness and restraint during tīrtha-stay.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Śukla-tīrtha, pilgrims descend broad white-stone steps into clear water, performing snāna while priests chant; the water gleams as if infused with moonlight. On a nearby rise stands the Someśvara shrine, its liṅga sanctum glowing, while a subtle vision of Kurukṣetra’s battlefield-field appears in the sky as a comparison—then fades, implying this tīrtha’s doubled merit.","primary_figures":["Pilgrims","Priests","Someśvara (liṅga in shrine)"],"setting":"White-stone ghāṭa at a tīrtha ford with an adjacent Someshvara temple; ritual platforms with lamps and offerings.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["pearl white","moon-silver","deep indigo","saffron","emerald"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Radiant Someśvara temple with gold-leaf sanctum and ornate pillars; white ghāṭa steps with pilgrims in devotional poses; shimmering water rendered with gold highlights; a faint gold-framed vignette of Kurukṣetra in the upper background; rich reds/greens, gem-like ornamentation on lamps and vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Cool moonlit ford with delicate ripples; pilgrims wrapped in simple cloth, priests with small lamps; Someshvara shrine nestled among trees; subtle atmospheric perspective and refined faces; pale whites and indigos dominate with warm saffron accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Strong outlines; stylized white ghāṭa and blue water bands; Someshvara liṅga centered with halo; devotees in rhythmic procession; traditional pigment palette with dramatic contrast and temple-wall compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Central temple motif with surrounding lotus-ringed water; devotees arranged in circular pradakṣiṇā-like rhythm; intricate borders of white lotuses (śukla symbolism), peacocks, and lamp motifs; deep blue ground with gold and pearl accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","chanting","water splashes","drone of tanpura"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुरुक्षेत्राच्चद्विगुणं → कुरुक्षेत्रात् + च + द्विगुणम्; तस्मिन्स्नानादिकं → तस्मिन् + स्नानादिकम् (न् + स्);
FAQs
It maps sanctity onto specific named locations—Śukla-tīrtha and the shrine Someśvara—while using Kurukṣetra as a benchmark, showing how Purāṇic texts rank and network pilgrimage sites across regions.
By directing attention to a named sacred place and deity-associated shrine (Someśvara), it frames devotion as embodied practice—pilgrimage, bathing, and worship—where faith is expressed through ritual acts at consecrated locations.
The verse encourages disciplined sacred conduct: undertaking purifying acts (bathing and allied observances) with reverence, suggesting that sincere practice in a holy setting amplifies spiritual benefit.