Shloka 34
Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya
गोयाने गोवधः प्रोक्तो हययाने तु निष्फलम् । नरयाने तदर्द्धं स्यात्पद्भ्यां तच्च चतुर्गुणम् ॥ ३४ ॥
goyāne govadhaḥ prokto hayayāne tu niṣphalam | narayāne tadarddhaṃ syātpadbhyāṃ tacca caturguṇam || 34 ||
بیل گاڑی میں سفر کرنا گوہتیا کے برابر گناہ کہا گیا ہے؛ گھوڑا گاڑی میں جانا بے ثمر ہے۔ پالکی جیسے آدمی اٹھائے ہوئے سواری سے جانے پر عیب آدھا رہتا ہے؛ اور پیدل جانے پر وہی عیب چار گنا ہو جاتا ہے۔
Sage Narada (teaching in a dharma/tirtha context; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara lineage)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Begins as a sober rule about travel-ethics, intensifies by equating certain conveyances with grave demerit, and ends with a graded scale of fault."}
FAQs
The verse frames pilgrimage and religious travel as a moral act governed by dharma, warning that certain modes of conveyance can incur serious demerit or nullify merit, implying that intention and means must align with ahiṃsā and righteous conduct.
It indirectly supports bhakti by insisting that devotional acts like tīrtha-yātrā must be performed in a dharmic way; devotion is not only inner feeling but also disciplined conduct that avoids harm and selfish indulgence.
It reflects dharma-śāstra style application of rules (vidhi/niṣedha) and proportional assessment of fault (guṇa-vicāra), a practical framework often used alongside ritual decision-making rather than a direct lesson in a specific Vedāṅga like Vyākaraṇa.