Shloka 15
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
एनां नदीं ये पुण्योदां स्पृशंति सुतरंगिणीम् । ते गर्भभाजो नैव स्युरपि पापकृतो नराः
enāṃ nadīṃ ye puṇyodāṃ spṛśaṃti sutaraṃgiṇīm | te garbhabhājo naiva syurapi pāpakṛto narāḥ
ผู้ใดได้สัมผัสแม่น้ำนี้—สายน้ำผู้ประทานบุญและเต็มไปด้วยระลอกคลื่น—ผู้นั้นย่อมไม่กลับไปสู่ครรภ์อีก (ไม่เวียนเกิด) แม้เป็นมนุษย์ผู้เคยกระทำบาปก็ตาม
Unspecified (contextual narrator within Pātālakhaṇḍa dialogue not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Contact with a divinely empowered tirtha can nullify even heavy sin and grant moksha (freedom from rebirth).
Application: Seek purification through sincere contact with sacred practices (pilgrimage, bathing, remembrance), while pairing it with inner reform to stabilize the promised fruit.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A broad, wave-filled sacred river glitters as pilgrims step into the water; the current seems to carry away shadowy stains that dissolve into light. Above the ripples, subtle divine symbols shimmer—suggesting the river’s merit-bestowing power and the promise of release from rebirth.","primary_figures":["pilgrims (men and women)","sages performing snāna","subtle divine presence (Vishnu’s aura/symbols)"],"setting":"Riverbank with stone steps (ghāṭa), flowering trees, small shrines, and offerings floating on leaf-boats.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","river turquoise","white foam","sandalwood beige","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a grand ghāṭa scene with richly patterned waves; pilgrims in devotional poses touching the water; Vishnu’s symbols (cakra, śaṅkha) faintly radiant above the river; gold leaf highlights on foam and halos, ornate borders, jewel-toned garments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle dawn over a sinuous river with fine ripples; small figures entering the water; delicate trees and distant hills; subtle luminous motifs in the current; cool palette with warm sunrise accents, refined faces and lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized river band with rhythmic wave motifs; devotees in simplified iconic poses; auspicious symbols hovering; bold outlines, earthy pigments, temple-wall symmetry, emphasis on sacred geometry of the ghāṭa.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river as a lotus-filled tapestry with intricate borders; leaf-boat lamps, peacocks at the bank, cows drinking; deep blues with gold wave-lines; central aura suggesting Vishnu’s blessing, dense floral ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","conch shell","temple bells","murmured mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नैव → न + एव. स्युरपि → स्युः + अपि (visarga sandhi).
FAQs
The verse states that merely touching this merit-giving, wave-filled river can free a person from returning to the womb—i.e., from rebirth—implying a moksha-like fruit.
Yes. It explicitly adds that even pāpakṛt (those who have committed sins) will not become garbhabhājaḥ (subject to rebirth) if they touch this river.
It highlights the Purāṇic theme that sacred contact with a tīrtha (especially holy waters) can purify grave faults, encouraging humility, faith, and reform rather than despair over past wrongdoing.