Shloka 5
The Glory of Śrāddha at Sacred Fords and the Determination of the Kutapa Time
गंगासागरमित्याहुः सर्वतीर्थमयं शुभम् । तीर्थं ब्रह्मसरस्तद्वच्छतद्रुसलिलं शुभम्
gaṃgāsāgaramityāhuḥ sarvatīrthamayaṃ śubham | tīrthaṃ brahmasarastadvacchatadrusalilaṃ śubham
เขากล่าวกันว่า คงคาสาคระเป็นมงคลและรวมบุญแห่งตีรถะทั้งปวงไว้ในตน เช่นเดียวกัน พรหมสระก็เป็นตีรถะอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์ และสายน้ำอันเป็นมงคลแห่งแม่น้ำศตทรุ (Śatadru) ก็เช่นกัน
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the single-verse input)
Concept: Certain confluences, tanks, and rivers concentrate the merit of many tīrthas; sacred water is a carrier of purification and dharmic renewal.
Application: If travel is possible, prioritize confluence-tīrthas for periodic snāna and dāna; if not, cultivate ‘tīrtha-bhāva’ by honoring sacred water at home (ācamanam, arghya) with remembrance of Gaṅgā and the Lord.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Gaṅgāsāgara, the wide Gaṅgā pours into a shimmering ocean under a vast sky; pilgrims stand waist-deep offering arghya as waves curl around their ankles. In a second vignette-like depth, a serene rectangular Brahma-saras tank reflects temple steps, while far away the Śatadru river glints through a green valley, tying three waters into one sacred panorama.","primary_figures":["pilgrims performing snāna","a priest offering arghya","personified Gaṅgā (subtle, veiled in water-light)"],"setting":"confluence shore with sand and surf; stepped tank (sarovar) with ghats; distant river valley","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ocean cobalt","river silver","sunlit gold","sandstone tan","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand confluence of Gaṅgā and ocean with stylized waves; pilgrims at the shore offering arghya; gold leaf on sun-disc, wave crests, and halos of a subtle Gaṅgā-devī figure; side panels depict Brahma-saras with stepped ghats and Śatadru as a ribboning river; rich reds/greens framing, ornate temple-arch border, jewel-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: expansive sky over the confluence, delicate wave patterns, small human figures in reverent poses; separate but connected scenes of a calm sarovar with ghats and a mountain river (Śatadru) in a cool valley; refined faces, soft gradients, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined confluence scene with rhythmic wave motifs; pilgrims and priest in iconic poses; Gaṅgā as a stylized goddess emerging from water; strong natural pigments (red/yellow/green/blue), decorative borders with lotus and fish motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central confluence medallion with lotus borders; intricate floral and wave patterns; pilgrims in symmetrical arrangement; deep indigo background with gold highlights; side vignettes of Brahma-saras and Śatadru framed by ornate creeper-work, peacocks and water birds near the ghats."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["ocean surf","flowing river","conch shell","temple bells","crowd murmur of mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंगासागरम्+इति=गंगासागरमिति; तद्वत्+शतद्रुसलिलम्=तद्वच्छतद्रुसलिलम् (तद्वत् → तद्वच् before श).
FAQs
It highlights a sacred-geography map centered on water-sites: Gaṅgāsāgara (a confluence), Brahma-saras (a lake), and the Śatadru (a river), presenting them as especially meritorious pilgrimage destinations.
Indirectly, by praising tīrthas as ‘auspicious’ and merit-bearing; in Purāṇic practice, pilgrimage is often framed as an act of devotion (bhakti) expressed through reverence, remembrance, and ritual purity at holy waters.
The verse promotes reverence for sacred places and purity of conduct: approaching holy waters with respect, restraint, and a sincere intention is implied as the proper way to seek spiritual benefit.