Shloka 88
Tīrtha-Māhātmya of the Sarasvatī Region and the Praise of Kurukṣetra
Pilgrimage Merits
यत्किंचिद्दुष्कृतं कर्म्म स्त्रिया वा पुरुषस्य वा । स्नातमात्रस्य तत्सर्वं नश्यते नात्र संशयः
yatkiṃcidduṣkṛtaṃ karmma striyā vā puruṣasya vā | snātamātrasya tatsarvaṃ naśyate nātra saṃśayaḥ
บาปกรรมใด ๆ ที่สตรีหรือบุรุษได้กระทำไว้ เพียงอาบน้ำเท่านั้น บาปทั้งปวงย่อมสิ้นสูญไป ไม่ต้องสงสัยเลย
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svargakhaṇḍa Adhyaya 27)
Concept: Contact with sanctified waters destroys pāpa; purification is immediate when the act is performed (snāta-mātra) with faith and proper conduct.
Application: Use ritual bathing as a conscious reset: pair outer cleansing with inner resolve (avoid repeating harm), and follow with japa, charity, and truthful living.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A single pilgrim emerges from the sacred water, droplets sparkling like tiny lamps; behind them, shadowy forms representing past misdeeds dissolve into mist. The face is calm and newly luminous, conveying the certainty—‘no doubt’—of purification.","primary_figures":["pilgrim (gender-inclusive depiction, or two figures: woman and man)","symbolic pāpa-shadows dissolving","tīrtha-devatā aura"],"setting":"Quiet sarovar edge with stone steps, lotus pads, and a small shrine lamp burning steadily.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","clean turquoise","moonstone white","charcoal gray","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure(s) stepping from the water with gold-leaf droplets and halo; dissolving dark forms behind; ornate ghat and shrine lamp; rich reds/greens with gold highlights emphasizing purity and certainty.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene lakeside with delicate ripples; subtle smoky silhouettes fading; refined, gentle expressions; cool water tones balanced with warm lamp glow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-outlined figure with stylized water patterns; pāpa as dark abstract shapes breaking apart; strong yellow-red highlights around the purified body; temple aesthetic framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus-lake filled with repeating lotus motifs; central purified figure(s) with radiating concentric patterns; border of floral vines; deep blues with gold and pink accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["gentle water","single bell strike","soft silence","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्किंचित् = यत् किंचित्; किंचिद्दुष्कृतम् = किंचित् दुष्कृतम्; तत्सर्वम् = तत् सर्वम्; नात्र = न अत्र।
FAQs
Yes, the verse states that merely bathing destroys whatever sinful actions have been committed by anyone. In puranic context, this is typically understood as tirtha-snana (ritual bathing in a sacred place) done with proper intention and observance.
It emphasizes the possibility of purification and moral renewal—wrong actions need not define a person permanently, and prescribed purificatory practices are presented as a means to return to dharmic conduct.
Yes. It explicitly includes both “striyā” (woman) and “puruṣasya” (man), indicating the purificatory promise applies equally regardless of gender.