Shloka 17
The Greatness of Prayāga: Confluence Theology and the Totality of Tīrthas
प्राप्यंते तानि तीर्थानि सद्भिः शिष्टार्थदर्शिभिः । स्नाहि तीर्थेषु कौरव्य न च वक्रमतिर्भव
prāpyaṃte tāni tīrthāni sadbhiḥ śiṣṭārthadarśibhiḥ | snāhi tīrtheṣu kauravya na ca vakramatirbhava
ตีรถะเหล่านั้นย่อมเข้าถึงได้โดยสัตบุรุษ—ผู้มีวัฒนธรรมและเห็นเป้าหมายแท้จริง. โอ กุรวยะ จงอาบน้ำในตีรถะทั้งหลาย และอย่าให้จิตคิดคดเคี้ยว
Unspecified (addressing a Kaurava; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context, but not explicit in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Tīrthas are reached by the good and discerning; bathe at tīrthas, but also abandon crookedness of mind—outer pilgrimage must be joined to inner rectitude.
Application: When performing rituals or visiting holy places, practice honesty, non-manipulation, and straightforward intention; let pilgrimage become character reform.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble Kaurava prince stands at a river ghāṭa, guided by a calm sage who gestures toward a chain of sacred tīrthas stretching into the horizon like luminous stepping-stones. As the prince enters the water for snāna, a dark, twisted shadow behind him (symbolizing ‘vakra-mati’) dissolves into clear light, showing inner reform alongside outer rite.","primary_figures":["a sage instructor","a Kaurava prince (listener)","pilgrims in the background","symbolic shadow of ‘vakra-mati’ dissolving"],"setting":"broad river ghāṭa with stone steps, distant temples, banyan tree, pilgrims with water pots and flowers","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river turquoise","sun-gold","stone gray","marigold orange","deep blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: prince at the ghāṭa receiving instruction from a haloed rishi; gold leaf highlights on the river’s ripples, temple spires, and halos; ornate garments with rich reds and greens; a stylized dark serpentine shadow behind the prince fading into gold, symbolizing the end of crooked-mindedness; decorative border with conch-disc motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined courtly prince with gentle expression, guided by a sage; expansive river landscape with delicate temples and trees; subtle symbolic shadow rendered as a faint ink-like swirl dissolving near the water; cool blues and greens with warm sunrise tones, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong outlines, rhythmic poses; the sage’s instructive hand gesture prominent; the river as a stylized band with repeating wave motifs; the ‘vakra-mati’ shadow as a coiling dark form breaking apart into bright fragments; traditional red-yellow-green palette and temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central snāna scene framed by lotus and floral borders; multiple small tīrtha icons (mini temples/ghāṭas) arranged like a garland across the top; deep blue and gold accents; peacocks on the border; symbolic shadow motif woven into the pattern, fading near the waterline."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["river splash","conch shell (distant)","temple bells","morning birds","footsteps on stone steps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śiṣṭārthadarśibhiḥ = śiṣṭa-artha-darśibhiḥ; vakramatirbhava = vakra-matiḥ bhava (visarga sandhi).
FAQs
It says tīrthas are truly “attained” by virtuous, disciplined people who understand the right purpose of pilgrimage—implying that inner disposition matters as much as the journey.
The instruction to bathe at tīrthas is paired with “do not become crooked in mind,” indicating that ritual purification should be accompanied by sincerity, moral clarity, and straight intention.
Approach sacred places with humility and integrity; do not use religious acts for deceit, pride, or ulterior motives—otherwise the spiritual benefit of the tīrtha is undermined.