Shloka 8
The Greatness of the Kāliṇdī (Yamunā): Merit of Bathing, Charity, and Faith
अकामो वा सकामो वा यामुने सलिले नृप । इहामुत्र च दुःखानि मज्जनान्नैव पश्यति
akāmo vā sakāmo vā yāmune salile nṛpa | ihāmutra ca duḥkhāni majjanānnaiva paśyati
ข้าแต่มหาราช ไม่ว่าผู้ใดจะไร้ความปรารถนาหรือเต็มด้วยความปรารถนา เมื่ออาบจุ่มในสายน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์แห่งยมุนาแล้ว ย่อมไม่ประสบทุกข์ทั้งในโลกนี้และโลกหน้า
Unspecified (addressing a king: nṛpa)
Concept: Sacred immersion grants relief from duḥkha in both worlds, regardless of desire-status; tīrtha acts as a compassionate equalizer.
Application: Do not wait for perfect detachment to begin spiritual practice; start where you are, and let consistent sacred habits reduce suffering and refine desires.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands at the Yamunā’s edge as two groups of pilgrims—ascetics with calm faces and householders with hopeful offerings—enter the water together. Above the river, a subtle celestial pathway opens in the sky, suggesting ‘here and hereafter’ becoming free of sorrow through the same purifying act.","primary_figures":["a king (nṛpa)","niṣkāma ascetics","sakāma household devotees","Yamunā-devī (subtle)"],"setting":"Broad ghāṭa with mixed pilgrims, offering trays, distant Vrindavan-like temple skyline, lotus clusters and swans","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver","lotus white","soft coral","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: royal patron at Yamunā ghāṭa witnessing diverse devotees bathing; gold leaf on moonlit ripples and halos, rich textiles, ornate shrine elements, gem-studded jewelry, symbolic celestial arch above indicating iha-amutra relief from duḥkha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil moonlit river scene; ascetics and householders share the water, delicate reflections, cool palette with silver highlights, distant temple silhouettes, refined expressions conveying inclusive grace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized moon and patterned waves; king and devotees in bold outlined forms, strong color blocks with white highlights, symbolic sky-band showing a path of light, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: deep blue Yamunā with lotus and swan motifs; border of floral vines and conch-chakra symbols, devotees arranged in harmonious rows, peacocks and cows near the bank, gold detailing to signify freedom from duḥkha in both realms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["gentle flowing water","night insects","soft bell chimes","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इहामुत्र = इह + अमुत्र; मज्जनान्नैव = मज्जनात् + न + एव (त् + न → न्न)
FAQs
It states that immersion in the Yamunā’s waters removes the experience of suffering both here and hereafter, regardless of whether the bather is desireless or desire-driven.
It emphasizes the universality of the tīrtha’s purifying power: the fruit of Yamunā-snān (bathing) is not restricted only to advanced renunciants but is accessible to all.
It encourages sincere engagement with sacred practices (like tīrtha-bathing) as a means of purification and relief from distress, without making spiritual benefit dependent solely on one’s current inner state.