Shloka 55
The Glory of Śrāddha at Sacred Fords and the Determination of the Kutapa Time
एतेषु श्राद्धतीर्थेषु श्राद्धमानंत्यमश्नुते । लोहदंडं तथा तीर्थं चित्रकूटस्तथैव च
eteṣu śrāddhatīrtheṣu śrāddhamānaṃtyamaśnute | lohadaṃḍaṃ tathā tīrthaṃ citrakūṭastathaiva ca
เมื่อประกอบศราทธะ ณ ทิรถะสำหรับศราทธะเหล่านี้ ย่อมได้บุญกุศลอนันต์ อีกทั้งยังมีทิรถะชื่อ โลหทัณฑะ และ จิตรกูฏ ด้วย
Unknown (verse excerpt does not identify the speaker; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context in Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites) performed at proper tīrthas yields inexhaustible merit and supports both lineage and spiritual progress.
Application: Keep annual śrāddha/ tarpaṇa with sincerity; if travel is impossible, perform at a local river/temple with charity and remembrance, avoiding ostentation; reconcile family duties with devotional practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a quiet ghāṭ at Citrakūṭa, a householder offers piṇḍa and sesame-water (tila-tarpaṇa) into a calm river while ancestral silhouettes appear as gentle, luminous forms receiving the offering. Behind, forested hills and a small Rāma shrine suggest the sanctity of the place, blending duty with devotion.","primary_figures":["a gṛhastha performing śrāddha","pitṛs (ancestral spirits) as subtle luminous forms","a temple priest","Rāma (as a small shrine icon in background)"],"setting":"Stone ghāṭ by a river near forested hills (Citrakūṭa ambience), with ritual vessels, darbha grass, and offerings","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky sandalwood brown","river teal","lamp gold","saffron ochre","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: śrāddha scene at Citrakūṭa ghāṭ—householder seated with darbha, piṇḍas on leaf plates, priest guiding, pitṛs as gold-haloed translucent figures above the water; background includes a small Rāma shrine with gold leaf aura, rich reds/greens, ornate arch border, gem-like highlights on vessels and lamps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverside ritual with delicate linework—soft forested hills of Citrakūṭa, a calm river, the performer in white dhoti, priest in saffron, faint ancestral forms in pale washes; cool natural palette, refined faces, lyrical quietness, thin floral border.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures—performer and priest in stylized poses, pitṛs as pale yellow silhouettes, ritual items clearly patterned; red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall composition with lotus medallions and geometric water bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional ghāṭ scene framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; river surface filled with stylized lotuses, offerings arranged symmetrically, a small Rāma icon niche above; deep blue-green water, gold detailing, textile ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft flowing water","low temple bell","murmured mantras","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्राद्धमानंत्यमश्नुते = श्राद्धम् + आनन्त्यम् + अश्नुते; तथैव = तथा + एव. ‘एतेषु … तीर्थेषु’ अधिकरण-सप्तमी; ‘श्राद्धम् आनन्त्यम्’ फल-निर्देशः।
FAQs
It lists specific pilgrimage sites connected with śrāddha—especially Lohadaṇḍa Tīrtha and Citrakūṭa—indicating that the text maps religious merit onto identifiable places in the Indian sacred landscape.
Rather than presenting abstract doctrine, it directs devotion into concrete religious practice—honoring ancestors through śrāddha at tīrthas—framing sincere ritual observance at holy places as a means to lasting spiritual benefit.
The verse reinforces the duty of gratitude and responsibility toward one’s ancestors: performing śrāddha is portrayed as a meritorious act that sustains familial and moral continuity across generations.