Shloka 6
The Greatness of the Revā (Narmadā): Release from the Piśāca Curse
गंगादिपुण्यतीर्थेषु यो नरः स्नाति सर्वथा । यः करोति सतां संगं तयोः सत्संगमो वरः
gaṃgādipuṇyatīrtheṣu yo naraḥ snāti sarvathā | yaḥ karoti satāṃ saṃgaṃ tayoḥ satsaṃgamo varaḥ
ในสองประการนี้—คือผู้ที่อาบน้ำชำระในตีรถะอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์ เช่น คงคา และผู้ที่คบหาสมาคมกับสัตบุรุษ—สัทสังคะ คือการอยู่ร่วมกับผู้ประเสริฐ เป็นยอดยิ่งกว่า
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context likely within a Purāṇic dialogue).
Concept: Sat-saṅga surpasses even the merit of bathing in the holiest tīrthas; inner transformation through association is superior to external purification alone.
Application: Do not substitute spiritual tourism for character change; pair pilgrimage/ritual with time in the company of sincere practitioners, study, kīrtana, and service.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On one side, pilgrims bathe in the Gaṅgā at dawn, water sparkling with sacred light; on the other, a small circle of sādhus sits under a banyan tree, sharing quiet instruction and compassionate glances. The composition visually weighs the two, subtly showing the sādhu-circle as the brighter ‘inner river’ of purification.","primary_figures":["Pilgrims","Sādhus (virtuous devotees)","A narrator-sage figure (optional)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with ghāṭ steps, banyan tree, simple hermitage elements, distant temple spire and fluttering flags.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river turquoise","sunrise gold","lotus pink","saffron","stone gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene river ghāṭ with pilgrims in snāna on one side and a radiant sādhu-saṅga circle on the other; gold leaf on the sunrise, river highlights, and halos around sādhus; rich reds/greens in garments, ornate border with lotus and conch motifs, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Gaṅgā landscape with delicate ripples, pale dawn sky, and refined figures; sādhus under a banyan with subtle halos, cool mountain-like palette and gentle naturalism; fine brushwork on water and foliage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of ghāṭ steps and banyan; bright yellow dawn, green foliage, stylized pilgrims; sādhus depicted with calm, large eyes and rhythmic ornamentation; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Gaṅgā as a flowing blue ribbon bordered by lotuses; central emphasis on sādhu-saṅga as a luminous mandala; intricate floral borders, peacocks and cows as auspicious motifs, deep blues and gold, Nathdwara-inspired devotional richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","temple bells","conch shell","soft group chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंगादिपुण्यतीर्थेषु = गङ्गा + आदि + पुण्य + तीर्थेषु (समास); सत्संगमो = सत्संगमः (सत् + संगमः); तयोः सत्संगमो = तयोः + सत्संगमः
FAQs
It ranks spiritual practices, stating that keeping the company of the virtuous (sat-saṅga) is superior even to bathing in famous sacred tīrthas like the Gaṅgā.
No. It acknowledges tīrtha-snāna as meritorious, but emphasizes that inner transformation through the influence of saintly company is even more beneficial.
Choose uplifting companionship: regularly associating with truthful, disciplined, and compassionate people is presented as a powerful means of cultivating virtue and spiritual progress.