Shloka 19
Merits of Vitastā, Devikā, Rudrakoṭī and Sarasvatī Sacred Fords
स्नात्वा तु चमसोद्भेदे अग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत् । शिवोद्भेदे नरः स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्
snātvā tu camasodbhede agniṣṭomaphalaṃ labhet | śivodbhede naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṃ labhet
ผู้ใดอาบน้ำชำระที่จมสอดเภทะ ย่อมได้ผลบุญเสมอด้วยยัญอัคนิษโฏม และผู้ใดอาบที่ศิวอดเภทะ ย่อมได้บุญเสมอด้วยการถวายโคหนึ่งพันตัว
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa tīrtha-māhātmya context)
Concept: Snāna at a properly praised tīrtha can confer yajña- and dāna-equivalent puṇya, making spiritual uplift accessible through devotion and pilgrimage.
Application: Undertake pilgrimage or local sacred-water worship with sincerity; substitute ostentatious ritualism with humble, disciplined observance and charity according to capacity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene river-ford splits into two luminous bathing ghāṭas marked by ancient stone śilās: one inscribed with a tiny sacrificial fire-altar motif (Agniṣṭoma), the other crowned by a subtle Śiva-liṅga emblem. Pilgrims step into the water with folded hands as the surface glitters like molten mantra, suggesting unseen merit rising like incense.","primary_figures":["pilgrims (men and women)","tīrtha-devatā (subtle, semi-transparent)","Agni (symbolic altar-flame)","Śiva (iconic presence as liṅga-emblem)"],"setting":"Riverbank tīrtha with twin ghāṭas, old banyan and peepal trees, small shrine niches, ritual vessels and towels on stone steps.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron gold","river-jade green","ash white","vermillion red","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: twin sacred ghāṭas at Camasodbheda and Śivodbheda, pilgrims performing snāna with brass kumbhas, a small Agni altar motif on one side and a Śiva-liṅga shrine on the other, heavy gold leaf halos around the tīrtha-devatā, rich reds and greens, ornate borders, gem-studded ornaments on attendant figures, South Indian temple-step geometry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate river-ford scene with soft ripples, slender pilgrims in simple white cloth, tiny shrine with liṅga under a tree, distant hills and pale sky, cool greens and blues, refined faces, lyrical naturalism, fine linework for water shimmer suggesting Agniṣṭoma merit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized ghāṭa steps and trees, pilgrims with expressive eyes, symbolic Agni flame and liṅga rendered iconically, natural pigment palette dominated by red/yellow/green, temple-wall aesthetic with rhythmic patterns on the river surface.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders and lotus motifs framing a sacred snāna-ghāṭa, peacocks near the water, subtle Vaishnava auspicious symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) in the border to reflect Padma’s devotional milieu, deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","soft conch shell","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: camasodbhede → camasa + udbhede (a + u → o); agniṣṭomaphalaṃ is tatpurusha; gosahasraphalaṃ is tatpurusha with internal compound go+sahasra; labhet is optative 3sg ātmanepada.
FAQs
It teaches that bathing (snāna) at specific sacred sites (tīrthas) yields spiritual merit comparable to major Vedic rites (Agniṣṭoma) and great gifts (donation of a thousand cows).
They are presented as names of tīrthas (sacred bathing places). The verse highlights their māhātmya (sanctifying power) by equating their bath-merit with renowned religious acts.
It underscores the Purāṇic idea that accessible devotional acts—like tīrtha-bathing performed with faith—can confer merit traditionally associated with costly sacrifices or large-scale charity.