Shloka 48
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Birth and Boon; Puṣkara’s Glory; Rāma’s Śrāddha; Refuge-Hymn to Śiva
यथा रामेण वै तीर्थं पुष्करं तु विनिर्मितम् । चित्रकूटात्पुरा रामो मैथिल्या लक्ष्मणेन च
yathā rāmeṇa vai tīrthaṃ puṣkaraṃ tu vinirmitam | citrakūṭātpurā rāmo maithilyā lakṣmaṇena ca
ดุจดังที่พระรามได้สถาปนาตีรถะอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์แห่งปุษกระไว้ ฉันนั้นแต่กาลก่อน พระรามได้เสด็จออกจากจิตรคูฏ พร้อมด้วยไมถิลี (สีตา) และพระลักษมณะ.
Unspecified narrator (Purāṇic narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: A tīrtha becomes a living conduit of merit through the contact (saṅga) and sankalpa of the Lord and His dharmic journey.
Application: Treat pilgrimages and sacred places as opportunities for inner reorientation: travel with restraint, remembrance of Rāma, and service to pilgrims/sādhus rather than mere sightseeing.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa stand at the edge of Puṣkara’s sacred waters as if the landscape itself is being ‘named’ into holiness. In the distance, the arid hills soften into a luminous mirage, while a faint memory of Citrakūṭa’s green slopes lingers like a second horizon, suggesting the exile-journey’s continuity.","primary_figures":["Rāma","Sītā (Maithilī)","Lakṣmaṇa"],"setting":"Puṣkara tīrtha with a calm lake/kuṇḍa, ghāṭa steps, sparse desert flora, distant temples; a subtle visual overlay of Citrakūṭa’s forested ridge to indicate ‘formerly’ (purā).","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","desert ochre","gold leaf","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rāma with bow and quiver blessing Puṣkara tīrtha beside Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, ornate crowns and gem-studded ornaments, gold leaf halo radiance, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, stylized ghāṭa and temple silhouettes, sacred lake rendered with turquoise enamel-like sheen.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical scene of the trio at Puṣkara’s water with delicate linework, soft desert hills and a faint green Citrakūṭa ridge in the far distance, refined faces and gentle gestures, cool blues and warm ochres balanced, small birds and pilgrims as narrative details.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Rāma in deep blue with large expressive eyes, Sītā in warm red-gold, Lakṣmaṇa in green-yellow, stylized lotus patterns on the water, temple-wall aesthetic with rhythmic borders and auspicious motifs framing Puṣkara.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional landscape with lotus-filled sacred waters, ornate floral borders, peacocks and cows at the periphery, deep indigo background with gold accents; Rāma-Sītā-Lakṣmaṇa centered as sanctifiers of the tīrtha, intricate ghāṭa patterns and hanging garlands."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","distant conch shell","soft wind over ghats"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चित्रकूटात्पुरा = चित्रकूटात् + पुरा (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि: त् + प → त्प); अन्य सन्धि न्यून/पदविरामः
FAQs
It links a named pilgrimage site (Puṣkara) to a revered epic figure (Rāma), presenting tīrthas as sanctified places grounded in remembered journeys and divine-human actions.
By portraying Rāma as a sanctifier of places and events, it invites devotional remembrance (smaraṇa) of his deeds—an accessible form of bhakti tied to pilgrimage and narrative.
The verse highlights faithful companionship and dharmic travel—Rāma’s movement with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa models steadfast support, shared hardship, and purposeful conduct.