Shloka 16
The Greatness of Prayāga: Fruits of Pilgrimage, Remembrance, and Cow-Gift
निष्फलं तस्य तत्तीर्थं यावत्तत्फलमश्नुते । एवं तीर्थेन गृह्णीयात् पुण्येष्वायतनेषु च
niṣphalaṃ tasya tattīrthaṃ yāvattatphalamaśnute | evaṃ tīrthena gṛhṇīyāt puṇyeṣvāyataneṣu ca
สำหรับผู้นั้น ตีรถะ (ท่าน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์) ย่อมไร้ผลตราบเท่าที่ยังมิได้รับผลที่พึงได้ ฉันใด ก็พึงสั่งสมบุญด้วยการจาริกตีรถะ และด้วยสถานศักดิ์สิทธิ์อื่น ๆ ฉันนั้น
Unspecified (context-dependent narrative voice within Svargakhaṇḍa 42)
Concept: A tīrtha is ‘fruitless’ for a person until its promised result is actually realized; therefore one should properly ‘take’ merit through pilgrimages and holy abodes—i.e., by right conduct, intention, and completion of prescribed acts.
Application: When visiting sacred sites, do the full sādhana: snāna, japa, dāna, restraint, and gratitude; measure success by inner transformation, not checklists.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim stands at the threshold of a tīrtha, holding a water-pot and prayer beads, while behind him a faint, unopened lotus symbolizes ‘unreceived fruit.’ As he performs snāna, dāna, and prayer with humility, the lotus blooms into radiant light, and the landscape reveals multiple puṇyāyatanas—shrines, sacred groves, and river-fords—inviting disciplined engagement.","primary_figures":["Pilgrim (yātrika)","Temple priest/guide (optional)","Subtle personification of Tīrtha-devatā (optional)"],"setting":"Stone ghāṭ with a shrine, sacred grove, and distant hills; symbolic lotus motif hovering as a visual metaphor for phala.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["stone gray","sunrise amber","lotus pink","river blue","sacred ash white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: pilgrim at ghāṭ with gold leaf highlights on water ripples and lotus-phala aura; ornate shrine with embossed arches; the lotus blooming into a gold radiance above the pilgrim; rich reds/greens, traditional jewelry details on a subtle Tīrtha-devatā figure.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle riverbank scene with delicate lotus symbolism; the ‘fruitless’ unopened lotus in pale wash transforming into a vivid bloom as rites proceed; cool blues and soft ochres, refined naturalism and quiet devotional mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined pilgrim performing snāna; lotus emblem above shifting from closed to open; compartmental depiction of puṇyāyatanas (grove, shrine, ford) with rhythmic patterns; dominant yellow-red-green palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central ghāṭ and lotus motif; ornate floral borders; multiple small shrine vignettes around the edges representing puṇyāyatanas; deep indigo background with gold and pink lotus detailing, peacocks near the waterline."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","footsteps on stone steps","single bell chime","conch at distance","quiet mantra repetition"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्तीर्थं → तत् + तीर्थम्; यावत्तत्फलमश्नुते → यावत् + तत्फलम् + अश्नुते; पुण्येष्वायतनेषु → पुण्येषु + आयतनेषु (उ + आ = वा-प्रकृत्या संधिः, लेखने 'ष्व').
FAQs
It states that a tīrtha is ‘fruitless’ for a person until its intended spiritual result is actually attained—implying that mere physical visitation is incomplete without receiving the promised benefit through proper engagement.
No. It explicitly adds that merit should also be obtained in other ‘holy abodes’ (āyatanas)—suggesting sanctified places such as temples, sacred seats, and recognized sites of religious merit.
It emphasizes purposeful practice: sacred acts and sacred places are meant to yield transformation and merit, so one should approach them with sincerity and right conduct rather than treating them as empty formalities.