Shloka 61
Tīrtha-Māhātmya Sequence: Sacred Fords, Baths, Gifts, and Śrāddha
Narmadā-Belt Itinerary
पांडवेश्वरकं गत्वा स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । अक्षयं मोदते कालमवध्यस्तु सुरासुरैः
pāṃḍaveśvarakaṃ gatvā snānaṃ tatra samācaret | akṣayaṃ modate kālamavadhyastu surāsuraiḥ
ครั้นไปถึงปาณฑเวศวรคะแล้ว พึงอาบน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ ณ ที่นั้นตามพิธี เขาย่อมรื่นรมย์ในสุขอันไม่เสื่อมสลาย และเป็นผู้มิอาจถูกทำร้ายได้ทั้งโดยเทวดาและอสูร
Pulastya (in dialogue with Bhīṣma)
Concept: Approached with due procedure (samācara), tīrtha-snāna confers enduring joy and protective spiritual armor.
Application: Undertake periodic ‘inner tīrtha’ practices—cleanse habits, keep vows, and seek sanctifying environments—so resilience grows against ‘deva-asura’ forces (helpful/harmful impulses).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim arrives at Pāṇḍaveśvaraka, where a stone liṅga-shrine stands beside a clear bathing pool, yet Viṣṇu’s cakra-emblem glows in the sky, signaling the Vaiṣṇava phala behind the rite. As the pilgrim immerses, translucent guardians—half-deva, half-asura silhouettes—recede, implying ‘invulnerability’ born of sanctity.","primary_figures":["Pulastya (as narrator-sage)","Bhīṣma (as listener, seated respectfully)","a pilgrim devotee","symbolic deva and asura forms","Viṣṇu’s cakra/śaṅkha as celestial signs"],"setting":"tīrtha-kunda with ghāṭa steps, a small Īśvara shrine, sacred trees with tied threads, offerings of flowers and lamps","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["emerald green","lapis blue","sunlit gold","stone gray","hibiscus red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central shrine of Pāṇḍaveśvaraka with ornate vimāna; pilgrim performing snāna in a kunda; Pulastya and Bhīṣma at the side in classical poses; above, Viṣṇu’s śaṅkha-cakra symbols in gold leaf; rich reds/greens, heavy jewelry detailing, embossed gold halos, temple arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene kunda amid flowering trees; delicate figures of Pulastya teaching Bhīṣma; the pilgrim in water with ripples rendered in fine lines; faint deva-asura silhouettes dissolving into mist; cool palette with lyrical naturalism and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized shrine and kunda; Pulastya gesturing in teaching mudrā; symbolic deva/asura forms at the margins; Viṣṇu’s emblems overhead; saturated reds, yellows, greens with rhythmic border patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border and lotus-filled kunda; shrine decorated with garlands; peacocks and cows near the ghāṭa; celestial śaṅkha-cakra motifs in the upper field; deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","water splashes","conch shell","chanting chorus (soft)","wind through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पाण्डवेश्वरकं (पाण्डवेश्वरकम्); कालमवध्यस्तु → कालम् + अवध्यः + तु; सुरासुरैः (द्वन्द्व-समास)
FAQs
It highlights Pāṇḍaveśvaraka as a named pilgrimage site (tīrtha) where a specific act—ritual bathing—is said to yield exceptional merit and protection.
By prescribing a devotional act (tīrtha-snānā) performed with reverence and proper observance, it presents sacred practice as a means to divine grace and lasting well-being.
The verse teaches disciplined religious conduct—undertaking prescribed rites at holy places—as a way to cultivate spiritual security, joy, and steadiness amid worldly threats.