Shloka 28
कंबलाश्वतरौ नागौ यमुना दक्षिणे तटे । तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः
kaṃbalāśvatarau nāgau yamunā dakṣiṇe taṭe | tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ
กัมพละและอัศวตระ—นาคทั้งสอง—สถิตอยู่ ณ ฝั่งใต้แห่งแม่น้ำยมุนา ผู้ใดอาบน้ำชำระและดื่มน้ำ ณ ที่นั้น ย่อมพ้นจากบาปทั้งปวง
Unspecified narrator (contextual tirtha-description within the Adhyaya; commonly framed in Padma Purana as Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma, but not explicit in the provided excerpt).
Concept: Snāna and pāna (bathing and sipping sacred water) at a charged tīrtha-point remove even grave sins (pātaka).
Application: Approach sacred waters with reverence: physical cleanliness + inner restraint; ‘drink’ the teaching—take in purity through mindful habits and truthful speech.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the southern Yamunā bank, the water glows dark-blue and emerald, while two majestic nāgas—Kambala and Aśvatara—coil like living guardians near a stone ghat. A pilgrim bathes and then sips water with cupped hands, as faint lotus patterns and underwater light suggest hidden sanctity beneath the current.","primary_figures":["Pilgrim devotee","Kambala nāga","Aśvatara nāga","Yamunā-devī (optional subtle presence)"],"setting":"Yamunā ghat with stone steps, river reeds, small shrine niche, serpent-emblem banners","lighting_mood":"moonlit with sacred shimmer","color_palette":["indigo","emerald green","silver-white","deep teal","sandstone ochre"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yamunā ghat at night with silvered moon reflections, two jeweled nāga guardians (Kambala and Aśvatara) flanking the steps, a devotee performing snāna and ācamana; gold leaf on nāga hoods and river highlights, rich reds/greens in shrine textiles, ornate borders and gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet Yamunā bank with delicate reeds and ripples, slender devotee at the ghat, nāgas rendered as elegant serpentine forms with patterned hoods; cool nocturne palette, soft silver moonlight, refined linework and lyrical stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Yamunā waves, bold-outlined nāgas with prominent eyes and hood patterns, devotee in simple posture of ācamana; natural pigments, temple-wall symmetry, decorative floral frame in red/yellow/green.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: deep blue Yamunā filled with lotus motifs and gold wave patterns, nāga guardians integrated into ornate borders, peacocks and floral vines on the bank; devotional bathing scene rendered with intricate textile-like detailing and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","night insects","soft temple bell","conch shell (distant)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kaṃbalāśvatarau = kaṃbala-aśvatarau; sarvapātakaiḥ = sarva-pātakaiḥ.
FAQs
It presents a specific location on the Yamunā’s southern bank as a merit-giving tīrtha where bathing (snāna) and drinking the water are said to remove sins.
They are named nāgas (serpent-deities). The verse marks their presence as identifying the sacred spot associated with purification.
The verse promotes pilgrimage and ritual purification as forms of repentance and moral renewal, encouraging devotees to seek spiritual cleansing through sacred places and disciplined acts.