Shloka 55
The Account and Merit of Śivadūtī
with the Nāga-tīrtha at Puṣkara
न तेषां तु कुले सर्पाः पीडां कुर्वन्ति कर्हिचित् । श्राद्धं पितॄणां ये तत्र करिष्यंति नरा भुवि
na teṣāṃ tu kule sarpāḥ pīḍāṃ kurvanti karhicit | śrāddhaṃ pitṝṇāṃ ye tatra kariṣyaṃti narā bhuvi
ในตระกูลของเขา งูย่อมไม่ก่อความเดือดร้อนในกาลใด ๆ แก่บุรุษผู้กระทำพิธีศราทธะบูชาปิตฤ ณ ที่นั้นบนแผ่นดิน
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites) performed at a sanctified place safeguards the living lineage; dharma is both otherworldly merit and this-worldly protection.
Application: Remember and honor ancestors through ethical living, gratitude, and periodic remembrance rites; interpret ‘snakes’ also as recurring family harms—break cycles through dharmic conduct.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the tīrtha’s bank, a householder offers piṇḍa and water with kuśa grass while elders and a priest chant softly. In the background, shadowy serpent forms retreat into the forest, symbolizing the cessation of affliction as ancestral blessings settle over the family line.","primary_figures":["householder performing śrāddha","pitṛs (subtle ancestral presences)","priest/ṛtvik","Nāgas (receding/appeased)"],"setting":"Riverbank/kuṇḍa-side śrāddha platform with kuśa, piṇḍas, tila, water pot, and a small shrine marker for the tīrtha.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["earth brown","ghee-lamp gold","smoke gray","sandalwood beige","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: śrāddha at Nāga-tīrtha with the performer seated on a decorated platform, priest holding palm-leaf text, offerings of piṇḍa and tila, subtle golden silhouettes of pitṛs receiving tarpaṇa, Nāga motifs on the border, heavy gold leaf on lamps and vessels, rich maroon and emerald garments, ornate frame and floral patterns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverside śrāddha scene with delicate kuśa grass details, soft incense haze, refined facial expressions of solemn devotion, pitṛs suggested as faint translucent figures, a calm stream and trees, muted natural palette with gentle highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined ritual tableau—performer, priest, offerings, stylized pitṛ figures above receiving water streams, Nāga symbols at the margins, warm red/yellow/green pigments, patterned floor and ritual vessels, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotuses and vines around a central śrāddha-at-tīrtha scene, stylized water and offerings, peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses, Nāga motifs woven into floral filigree, deep blue background with gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft mantra murmur","flowing water","lamp crackle","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: करिष्यंति (पाठभेद) = करिष्यन्ति. वाक्ये ‘ये ... नरा’ इति सम्बन्धवाक्यं; ‘श्राद्धं पितॄणाम्’ कर्म।
FAQs
It states that in the performer’s lineage, snakes will not inflict harm—presented as a protective fruit (phala) of doing ancestral śrāddha.
Pitṛs are one’s departed ancestors; śrāddha is the ritual offering made for their welfare and satisfaction, and the verse links this duty to tangible protection for the family line.
It reinforces filial responsibility and continuity of dharma: honoring ancestors through prescribed rites is portrayed as sustaining both spiritual obligation and worldly well-being.