Shloka 22
Inquiry into Sacred Fords and the Merit of Earth-Circumambulation
Narada–Yudhishthira; Entry into the Dilipa–Vasistha Episode
शिरसा चार्घ्यमादाय शुचिः प्रयतमानसः । नामसंकीर्त्तयामास तस्मिन्ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तमे
śirasā cārghyamādāya śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ | nāmasaṃkīrttayāmāsa tasminbrahmarṣisattame
پاکیزگی اور ضبطِ نفس کے ساتھ اُس نے ارغیہ کا جل سر پر رکھا اور اُس برہمن رِشیِ اعظم کے حضور مقدّس نام کا سنکیرتن کرنے لگا۔
Narrator (contextual speaker not explicit in this single verse; Svarga-khaṇḍa narration commonly occurs within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue)
Concept: Nāma-saṅkīrtana performed with śauca and ekāgratā (disciplined mind) is a direct purifier and a supreme act of reverence to the saintly and to Viṣṇu.
Application: Begin worship or study with a small act of cleanliness and a focused invocation of the divine Name; treat offerings (even water) as sacred when given with attention.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"With freshly washed hands and a tranquil face, the king lifts a small vessel of arghya-water and touches it to his head in a gesture of utmost reverence. Before him sits the brahmarṣi, serene and unmoving, while the air seems to vibrate with the first syllables of the sacred Name.","primary_figures":["king/devotee","brahmarṣi-sattama (foremost sage)"],"setting":"quiet ritual alcove—either palace shrine or hermitage veranda—with kusa grass, water pot, and flower offerings","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pale gold","lotus pink","clean white","sandalwood beige","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotional close-up of the king taking arghya to his head before a seated brahmarṣi; gold leaf aura around both, ornate lamp and kalasha, rich maroon-green textiles, embossed gold on vessel and jewelry, sacred syllables subtly inscribed in the background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate scene with delicate brushwork; the king’s hands lift a small arghya vessel, the sage sits on a simple mat; dawn light washes the courtyard, flowering vines and a small water pot nearby, soft pastel palette and refined expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic gesture of arghya-to-head, bold outlines; sage seated in yogic calm, king in reverent posture; warm yellow-red-green pigments, temple-lamp motif, stylized lotus border.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of nāma-saṅkīrtana and arghya offering framed by lotus creepers; deep blue ground with gold script-like motifs, peacocks at corners, intricate floral borders emphasizing purity and devotion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft japa undertone","water poured gently","single bell chime","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चार्घ्यमादाय = च + अर्घ्यम् + आदाय; नामसंकीर्त्तयामास = नाम + संकीर्तयामास; तस्मिन्ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तमे = तस्मिन् + ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तमे
FAQs
It describes taking arghya (sanctified offering-water) upon the head as a gesture of reverence and then performing nāma-saṅkīrtana (chanting the divine Name).
By placing nāma-saṅkīrtana—devotional chanting of the Name—at the center of the act, alongside purity and mental discipline.
True worship combines outer reverence (arghya, cleanliness) with inner steadiness (a restrained mind) and sincere devotion expressed through chanting.