Shloka 40
The Origin of the Lauhitya River
and the King of Tīrthas
जनानां तत्र सर्वेषां हितार्थं तिष्ठ मानद । चपलं गच्छ तीर्थानि सर्वाणि सुमहांति च
janānāṃ tatra sarveṣāṃ hitārthaṃ tiṣṭha mānada | capalaṃ gaccha tīrthāni sarvāṇi sumahāṃti ca
“จงพำนักอยู่ที่นั่นเถิด โอ้ผู้ประทานเกียรติ เพื่อประโยชน์สุขของชนทั้งปวง; ส่วนเจ้า ผู้กระสับกระส่าย จงไปยังตีรถะทั้งหลาย แม้ที่ยิ่งใหญ่ยิ่งนักด้วย”
Unspecified (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 55)
Concept: Pilgrimage should be guided by dharma and loka-hita; restless movement can be redirected into sacred travel.
Application: Channel distraction into disciplined sādhanā: set a vow-like itinerary, travel with humility, and balance personal practice with responsibility to community.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A revered elder gestures with calm authority: one companion is asked to remain among villagers for their welfare, while a restless ascetic is directed toward a distant chain of sacred fords. In the background, a stylized map-like horizon shows multiple rivers and ghats shimmering like beads on a garland of India.","primary_figures":["a commanding sage/elder counselor","a restless ascetic pilgrim","villagers seeking guidance"],"setting":"Forest-edge hermitage near a riverbank, with a path splitting toward many distant tīrthas; simple huts, prayer flags, and a small shrine.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","river-silver","leaf green","earth brown","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dignified sage seated on a low pedestal near a small shrine, right hand in instructive gesture; a pilgrim with staff and waterpot stands ready to depart; villagers behind the sage; gold leaf halos, rich red and green textiles, ornate jewelry accents, stylized river ghat motifs in the background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate forest hermitage with a forked path; the elder sage calm and composed, the pilgrim slightly leaning forward with eager posture; cool greens and soft browns, lyrical trees, distant pale-blue river ribbons indicating many tīrthas; refined faces and gentle narrative clarity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures—sage with serene eyes and elaborate headgear, pilgrim with staff and kamaṇḍalu; temple-lamp motifs and a stylized riverbank; strong red/yellow/green palette with traditional mural symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional landscape where multiple river-ghats appear as lotus-bordered vignettes; central figures of sage and pilgrim framed by floral borders, peacocks and cows at the margins; deep indigo background with gold highlights and lotus motifs suggesting tīrtha sanctity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","soft footsteps on a path","distant conch shell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हितार्थं → हित-अर्थम् (अव्ययीभाव); सुमहांति → सुमहानि (पाठभेद/लिप्यन्तर-समायोजन)
FAQs
It frames staying put as a dharmic act when it serves lokahita—working for the welfare of all people—rather than moving for personal preference.
It highlights the ideal of broad pilgrimage (tīrthayātrā), including major (sumahat) sacred sites, suggesting a comprehensive religious journey rather than a single destination.
The verse contrasts steadiness in service (staying for others’ good) with restlessness (capala), implying that movement should be purposeful and aligned with dharma.