Shloka 161
Puṣkara Sacrifice: Gāyatrī’s Marriage, Sāvitrī’s Wrath, Rudra’s Test, and the Tīrtha-Māhātmya
सदा तीर्थानि क्षेत्राणि लोभादेव भजिष्यथ । परान्नेषु सदा तृप्ता अतृप्तास्स्वगृहेषु च
sadā tīrthāni kṣetrāṇi lobhādeva bhajiṣyatha | parānneṣu sadā tṛptā atṛptāssvagṛheṣu ca
ด้วยความโลภล้วน ๆ พวกท่านจักเที่ยวไปยังตีรถะและเขตศักดิ์สิทธิ์อยู่เสมอ; อิ่มเอมด้วยอาหารของผู้อื่นตลอดกาล แต่กลับไม่อิ่มใจในเรือนของตน
Unspecified in provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Sacred travel without inner purity turns into spiritual tourism; contentment (santoṣa) and integrity are prerequisites for tīrtha-phala.
Application: When visiting temples/tīrthas, set a sāttvika sankalpa (prayer, service, charity without manipulation); cultivate gratitude at home rather than constant comparison and craving.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A procession of greedy pilgrims-priests moves from one grand shrine to another, their hands outstretched for alms while their eyes remain anxious and unsatisfied. In contrast, a humble home in the background glows quietly, suggesting the neglected dharma of contentment and household integrity.","primary_figures":["Brahmin pilgrims/priests","Temple attendants","Householder family (symbolic contrast)"],"setting":"A road linking multiple kṣetras—stone ghats, temple gateways, and a distant village home","lighting_mood":"harsh midday light emphasizing restlessness and fatigue","color_palette":["dusty ochre","stone gray","faded white","turmeric yellow","dull copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a stylized temple gopuram and ghat with gold-leaf highlights; a line of priests with alms-bowls and travel bundles, expressive faces showing craving; ornate borders, rich reds and greens, embossed gold on temple ornaments, contrasting small serene household vignette at the edge.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: winding pilgrimage path through gentle hills; multiple shrines indicated by delicate architecture; travelers’ subtle gestures of asking and eating others’ food; cool palette with fine textile patterns, understated satire through facial expression and posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: rhythmic procession figures with bold outlines; temples and ghats simplified into iconic forms; emphasis on eyes and hand gestures (receiving food), warm reds/yellows/greens with ornamental frame.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: repeated shrine-arches and lotus borders; pilgrims arranged in decorative rows; intricate floral motifs and patterned textiles, deep blue background with gold accents, symbolic rather than realistic architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on stone","market murmurs near temple gates","clinking alms bowls","distant bells","wind over ghats"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लोभादेव → लोभात् एव; अतृप्तास्स्वगृहेषु → अतृप्ताः स्वगृहेषु; परान्नेषु = पर-अन्नेषु.
FAQs
It criticizes hypocrisy: visiting tīrthas and kṣetras not from devotion or discipline, but from greed, while remaining discontent at home and dependent on others’ provisions.
No. It targets the motive—lobha (greed). Pilgrimage is implied to be meaningful when grounded in sincerity, restraint, and inner transformation rather than material gain.
It points to distorted contentment: enjoying what is obtained externally (often through dependence or exploitation) while lacking gratitude and peace in one’s own household—an indicator of unchecked desire.