Shloka 52
The Glory of Śrāddha at Sacred Fords and the Determination of the Kutapa Time
पुष्करं नाम वै तीर्थं शालग्रामं तथैव च । शोणपातश्च विख्यातो यत्र वैश्वानराशयः
puṣkaraṃ nāma vai tīrthaṃ śālagrāmaṃ tathaiva ca | śoṇapātaśca vikhyāto yatra vaiśvānarāśayaḥ
ที่นั่นมีทิรถะชื่อ ปุษกร และมี ศาลคราม เช่นกัน อีกทั้ง โศณปาต ก็เลื่องชื่อ เป็นสถานที่ซึ่งมีที่สถิต (หรือแหล่งรวม) แห่งไวศวานระ
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 11).
Concept: Certain tīrthas and sacred emblems (like Śālagrāma) serve as concentrated access-points to the divine—water (tīrtha) and fire (Vaiśvānara) together symbolize purification and inner transformation.
Application: Keep devotion tangible: a simple daily practice—water offering, lamp, and mantra—centered on a sacred symbol (Śālagrāma if initiated/traditionally permitted, otherwise a Vishnu icon/Tulasi) cultivates steadiness.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred map unfolds in one frame: Puṣkara’s tranquil lake with Brahmā’s temple spires, a pilgrim holding a dark Śālagrāma-śilā wrapped in cloth, and a mysterious Śoṇapāta cleft where a glowing ‘Vaiśvānara’ fire-reservoir shines from within the earth. Water-lilies, incense smoke, and a steady lamp link the three as one pilgrimage vision.","primary_figures":["Pilgrims (tīrtha-yātrins)","Brahmā (as temple icon at Puṣkara)","Vishnu (suggested through Śālagrāma presence)","Agni/Vaiśvānara (as inner fire glow)"],"setting":"Triptych-like sacred landscape: lake-temple complex, river/stone worship corner, and a rocky fire-cavern tīrtha","lighting_mood":"golden dawn with a hidden inner-fire glow","color_palette":["lake turquoise","sunrise gold","basalt black","lotus pink","copper orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: composite sacred geography—Puṣkara lake with Brahmā temple in gold leaf, central devotee presenting a polished black Śālagrāma on a silver plate, right side a stylized rocky Śoṇapāta with glowing Vaiśvānara fire rendered in embossed gold and copper tones, rich reds/greens, ornate borders and gem-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical triptych landscape with delicate architecture at Puṣkara, a close, intimate Śālagrāma worship vignette, and a softly glowing fire-cave at Śoṇapāta, cool-to-warm gradient palette, refined faces, gentle naturalism with symbolic clarity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined Brahmā temple iconography, central Śālagrāma as a sacred black oval with white markings, Vaiśvānara as stylized flame-person within a cave, strong red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall composition with decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Puṣkara lake framed by lotus borders, central Śālagrāma worship with intricate floral motifs, right-side Vaiśvānara glow depicted as patterned flames, deep blues and gold, symmetrical devotional layout with peacocks and cows as auspicious fillers."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["lake water lapping","temple bells","conch shell","crackling lamp flame","distant chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैव = तथा + एव; शोणपातश्च = शोणपातः + च; वैश्वानराशयः = वैश्वानर-आशयः.
FAQs
It lists multiple named tīrthas—Puṣkara, Śālagrāma, and Śoṇapāta—showing how the Padma Purāṇa maps holiness onto specific places, treating pilgrimage sites as part of a sacred landscape tied to divine presences.
By highlighting Śālagrāma (strongly associated with Viṣṇu worship) and revered tīrthas, the verse points toward devotional practice expressed through pilgrimage, remembrance, and reverence for places and symbols linked to the Divine.
The implied lesson is to cultivate श्रद्धा (faith) and पुण्य-आचरण (meritorious conduct) by honoring sacred places and the divine principles associated with them—approaching tīrthas not as tourism but as disciplined, reverent practice.