Shloka 18
The Greatness of Prayāga: Confluence Theology and the Totality of Tīrthas
त्वया तु सम्यक्पृष्टेन कथितं तु मया विभो । पितरस्तारिताः सर्वे तारिताश्च पितामहाः
tvayā tu samyakpṛṣṭena kathitaṃ tu mayā vibho | pitarastāritāḥ sarve tāritāśca pitāmahāḥ
เพราะท่านถามอย่างถูกต้อง โอ พระผู้เป็นเจ้า ข้าพเจ้าจึงได้กล่าวอธิบายไว้ บรรดาปิตฤทั้งปวงได้รับการโปรดให้พ้น และปิตามหะทั้งหลายก็พ้นด้วย
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context-dependent within Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogues)
Concept: Proper questioning and faithful reception of sacred instruction yields tangible spiritual benefit, extending to one’s pitṛs (ancestors).
Application: Approach teachers and scriptures with sincerity and precision; dedicate merits of worship, japa, dāna, and tīrtha-smaraṇa to ancestors regularly (e.g., on amāvasyā or during pilgrimage).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage concludes a sacred explanation before a royal listener, the air thick with incense and the hush of completion. Behind them, faint luminous silhouettes of forefathers rise upward, as if released from a subtle bondage, dissolving into a calm, star-like radiance.","primary_figures":["Yudhiṣṭhira","a venerable ṛṣi-narrator (e.g., Pulastya/another sage)","pitṛs (ancestral spirits as subtle luminous forms)"],"setting":"Hermitage pavilion near a sacred confluence, with kusa grass seats, water pot, and a small altar for tarpaṇa.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","smoky amber","river-silver","deep maroon","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a seated sage blessing Yudhiṣṭhira in a pillared mandapa, gold leaf halo around the sage, ornate crowns and jewelry on the king, a small tarpaṇa vessel and lotus motifs in the foreground, subtle golden ancestral forms ascending in the background, rich reds and greens with gem-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet riverside āśrama scene with delicate lines, Yudhiṣṭhira seated respectfully before a white-bearded sage, translucent pitṛ-figures drifting upward like mist, cool blues and soft ochres, fine floral borders and gentle Himalayan-like hills in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined sage and king in profile, large expressive eyes, warm red-yellow-green palette, stylized river band behind them, ancestral spirits as pale aureoled figures, temple-wall texture and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional confluence backdrop with lotus clusters and ornate borders, central respectful dialogue between king and sage, golden aura motifs, peacocks at the edge, intricate floral patterns suggesting merit flowing to ancestors, deep blues and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low conch drone (distant)","gentle flowing water","incense crackle","brief silence at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्यक्पृष्टेन = सम्यक् + पृष्टेन; पितरस्तारिताः = पितरः + तारिताः; तारिताश्च = तारिताः + च
FAQs
It states that a proper, sincere question enables the teaching to be given correctly, resulting in the ‘deliverance’ (tāraṇa) of one’s ancestors (pitṛs), including earlier generations.
Pitaras refers to one’s forefathers/manes (often the ancestral lineage), while pitāmahāḥ specifically indicates grandfathers—signaling multiple generations of ancestors.
The verse highlights the discipline of seeking knowledge correctly—through humility, clarity, and right intention—implying that dharmic outcomes arise from dharmic inquiry.