Shloka 51
The Greatness of Puṣkara: Tripuṣkara Pilgrimage, Sacred Geography, and the Doctrine of Self-Restraint
तेनापि द्वादशाब्दानि संध्योपास्ता न संशयः । भवेत्समीपगा पत्नी कुर्वतः पितृतर्पणं
tenāpi dvādaśābdāni saṃdhyopāstā na saṃśayaḥ | bhavetsamīpagā patnī kurvataḥ pitṛtarpaṇaṃ
แม้ด้วยการกระทำนั้นเอง การบูชาสันธยา (Sandhyā) ก็ประหนึ่งได้กระทำครบสิบสองปี—หาใช่มีข้อสงสัยไม่ เมื่อทำพิธีบูชาบรรพชน (pitṛ-tarpaṇa) ภรรยาควรอยู่ใกล้เคียง
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: A single correct ritual act can substitute for long duration of practice; pitṛ-tarpaṇa is strengthened by orderly domestic participation (wife nearby), reflecting gṛhastha-dharma.
Application: Do not neglect daily sandhyā; perform tarpaṇa with focus and cleanliness; cultivate supportive family participation rather than isolated religiosity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet courtyard at dawn, a householder sits on kuśa grass facing a small water vessel, offering tarpaṇa with measured pours. His wife stands respectfully nearby holding a small tray, embodying household harmony; faint ancestral silhouettes appear like gentle light-forms receiving the offering, suggesting ‘twelve years’ of satisfaction.","primary_figures":["householder performing pitṛ-tarpaṇa","wife standing nearby","pitṛs (subtle, luminous forms)"],"setting":"Domestic courtyard with tulsi-altar in the background (not central), kuśa mat, small water pot, and a simple household shrine.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm ochre","soft white","leaf green","copper bronze","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: gṛhastha seated on kuśa offering pitṛ-tarpaṇa, wife nearby with respectful posture; subtle pitṛ figures in a golden aura above a small water vessel; heavy gold leaf for halos and borders, rich reds/greens, ornate domestic shrine elements, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard ritual—man seated, wife standing close; delicate transparent pitṛ forms in the air; soft morning light, refined faces, gentle architectural lines, muted earth tones with copper accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined couple in ritual posture; stylized water-pour gesture; pitṛs as patterned luminous silhouettes in upper band; natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tarpaṇa scene framed by floral borders; water motifs and lotus patterns; pitṛs depicted as small golden figures in a mandala above; deep blue background with gold highlights, symmetrical textile composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["water dripping","soft mantra murmur","morning birds","gentle bell (single strikes)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेन+अपि→तेनापि; द्वादश+अब्दानि→द्वादशाब्दानि; संध्या+उपास्ता→संध्योपास्ता; भवेत्+समीपगा→भवेत्समीपगा
FAQs
The verse states that by performing the act being discussed in context (connected here with pitṛ-tarpaṇa), one’s Sandhyā worship is considered as good as performed for twelve years.
It instructs that the wife (patnī) should remain nearby while the performer carries out the ancestral libations (pitṛ-tarpaṇa).
It emphasizes the religious merit of properly performed ancestral rites and highlights the household (gṛhastha) setting—where the spouse’s presence supports the ritual’s dharmic completeness.