Shloka 14
Inquiry into Sacred Fords and the Merit of Earth-Circumambulation
Narada–Yudhishthira; Entry into the Dilipa–Vasistha Episode
प्रदक्षिणां यः कुरुते पृथिवीं तीर्थतत्परः । किं फलं तस्य कार्त्स्न्येन तद्ब्रह्मन्वक्तुमर्हसि
pradakṣiṇāṃ yaḥ kurute pṛthivīṃ tīrthatatparaḥ | kiṃ phalaṃ tasya kārtsnyena tadbrahmanvaktumarhasi
ข้าแต่พราหมณ์ โปรดกล่าวให้ครบถ้วนเถิด: ผู้ใฝ่มั่นในทีรถะ (สถานที่ศักดิ์สิทธิ์) แล้วกระทำประทักษิณาเวียนรอบทั่วทั้งแผ่นดิน ย่อมได้ผลบุญอันสมบูรณ์ประการใด
A disciple/inquirer addressing a Brahmanical sage (Brahman)
Concept: Pilgrimage is not mere travel; when undertaken with tīrtha-paratā (single-minded devotion to sacred places), it yields comprehensive spiritual fruit.
Application: If full pilgrimage is impossible, adopt its spirit: visit local temples/tīrthas with discipline, purity, charity, and remembrance of Viṣṇu; keep a yātrā-vrata mindset (simplicity, truthfulness, compassion).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast map-like mandala of Bhārata unfolds as a sacred landscape: rivers gleam like silver threads, mountains rise like guardians, and countless tīrthas sparkle as lotus-like nodes. A pilgrim with staff and water pot walks the circular path around the earth-mandala, while a sage points to the luminous tīrtha network, explaining the ‘complete fruit’ of such devotion.","primary_figures":["inquiring disciple/pilgrim (Pandava implied)","Brahmanical sage (brāhmaṇa)","personified Bhū-devī (optional, as earth goddess)","Vishnu (subtle celestial presence, optional)"],"setting":"Visionary cosmographic scene blending hermitage discourse with a floating earth-mandala of tīrthas, rivers, and temples","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","river-silver","emerald green","sunrise gold","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: cosmic earth-mandala shown as a jeweled disc with miniature temples and rivers, pilgrim performing pradakṣiṇā around it, sage instructing with raised hand, Bhū-devī seated with lotus, Vishnu’s symbols (conch/discus) in the sky, heavy gold leaf outlining rivers and temple spires, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornamentation, ornate arch framing the visionary geography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical ‘Bharat-mandala’ landscape—delicate brushwork depicting winding rivers, tiny tīrtha shrines, pilgrim with staff walking a circular path, sage seated under a tree explaining, cool mountain palette with refined faces, atmospheric washes for distance, subtle glow on sacred sites.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized earth as a circular field filled with icon-like temples and river bands, bold black outlines, natural pigments, sage and pilgrim in profile with expressive eyes, Bhū-devī motif, decorative borders with lotus and conch patterns, warm red/yellow/green palette and temple-wall grandeur.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate circular composition—earth as a lotus-mandala filled with miniature tīrtha icons, deep blue background with gold highlights, floral borders and creepers, peacocks at corners, pilgrim in repeated positions to suggest motion of pradakṣiṇā, intricate detailing reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles, subtle Vishnu presence via symbols and lotuses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","flowing water","pilgrim footsteps","chanting chorus"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्ब्रह्मन् → तत् + ब्रह्मन्; वक्तुमर्हसि → वक्तुम् + अर्हसि
FAQs
It describes performing a reverential circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) of the whole earth, done with dedication to visiting and honoring tīrthas (sacred pilgrimage sites).
It asks for the complete spiritual merit (phala) gained by a person who undertakes such an earth-circumambulating pilgrimage with steadfast tīrtha-focused devotion.
The verse implies that devotion, perseverance, and reverence toward sacred places and dharmic practice matter, and it frames pilgrimage as a disciplined spiritual undertaking whose results should be understood from authoritative teaching.