Shloka 7
The Deeds of Sukalā (Vena Episode): Husband as Tīrtha & Pativratā-Dharma
श्रद्धया निर्गतो यात्रां तीर्थानां पुण्यमंगलाम् । ब्राह्मणानां प्रसंगेन सार्थवाहेन तेन च
śraddhayā nirgato yātrāṃ tīrthānāṃ puṇyamaṃgalām | brāhmaṇānāṃ prasaṃgena sārthavāhena tena ca
ด้วยศรัทธาเขาออกเดินทางจาริกไปยังตีรถะทั้งหลาย อันเป็นมงคลและก่อบุญกุศล โดยมีหมู่พราหมณ์ร่วมทาง และมีสารถวาหะ—หัวหน้าคาราวาน—ไปด้วย
Unspecified narrator (context-dependent within Adhyaya 41)
Concept: Śraddhā and sat-saṅga sanctify pilgrimage; holy travel is dharma when guided by the learned and undertaken for puṇya rather than display.
Application: When undertaking any spiritual practice (pilgrimage, temple visit, vrata), prioritize sincerity, ethical conduct, and the company of grounded teachers; travel with humility and service-mindedness.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim sets out at dawn toward distant tīrthas, carrying a modest bundle, while a small group of brāhmaṇas walk beside him chanting softly. A caravan-leader guides the route; dust rises gently from the road as temple flags and far-off river-ghāṭs hint at the sacred destinations ahead.","primary_figures":["pilgrim householder","brāhmaṇas (pilgrim-scholars)","caravan-leader (sārthavāha)"],"setting":"Ancient Indian pilgrimage road leading toward a river ford; roadside banyan and milestone shrine; distant ghāṭ steps and a small temple spire.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","river-silver","banyan green","vermillion","warm gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dawn pilgrimage procession on a sacred road, central householder with folded hands, brāhmaṇas with palm-leaf manuscripts and japa-mālās, sārthavāha pointing the way; gold leaf embellishment on temple spire and halos, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments on devotional accessories, traditional South Indian iconographic detailing for sacred symbols (conch, discus motifs on banners).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical procession along a winding path toward a shimmering river-ghāṭ, delicate brushwork, cool yet luminous palette, refined faces of brāhmaṇas, soft Himalayan-like distant hills, flowering shrubs and birds, subtle narrative calm of śraddhā-filled travel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments, stylized figures of pilgrim and brāhmaṇas in rhythmic formation, temple-lamp motifs and sacred banners, warm red/yellow/green palette, large expressive eyes, mural-like river-ghāṭ geometry in the background.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional travel motif framed by intricate floral borders and lotus patterns, deep blues and gold accents, peacocks near the path, stylized river with lotus clusters, subtle Viṣṇu symbols on flags, ornate textile-like detailing throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft Vedic chanting","footsteps on earth","distant temple bell","morning birds","light wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुण्यमंगलाम् → पुण्य + मङ्गलाम्; प्रसंगेन → प्रसङ्गेन; सार्थवाहेन → सार्थ + वाहेन.
FAQs
The verse foregrounds śraddhā (faith) as the essential inner disposition for undertaking tīrtha-yātrā, framing the journey as both auspicious (maṅgala) and merit-producing (puṇya).
Association with brāhmaṇas suggests satsaṅga—travel in uplifting company—implying guidance in dharma, proper conduct at sacred sites, and a sanctifying social context for the pilgrimage.
It implies organized, responsible travel—pilgrimage is not only devotional but also undertaken with prudent planning and leadership, supporting safety and discipline on the route.