Shloka 72
Tīrtha-Māhātmya Sequence: Sacred Fords, Baths, Gifts, and Śrāddha
Narmadā-Belt Itinerary
तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्कपिलां यः प्रयच्छति । संपूर्णां पृथिवीं दत्वा यत्फलं तदवाप्नुयात्
tatra snātvā naro rājankapilāṃ yaḥ prayacchati | saṃpūrṇāṃ pṛthivīṃ datvā yatphalaṃ tadavāpnuyāt
اے راجن! جو شخص وہاں غسل کرکے کپیلا (بھوری) گائے کا دان کرتا ہے، وہ پوری زمین کو دان کرنے کے برابر ثواب حاصل کرتا ہے۔
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan) within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue context
Concept: At a potent tīrtha, a focused act—bathing and gifting a kapilā cow—can equal vast donations, showing that purity of place, time, and intention magnify karma-phala.
Application: Practice proportionate generosity: even if one cannot give ‘great gifts,’ give sincerely (food, cow-service, charity) in a sacred context, after inner cleansing (snāna/saṅkalpa).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Kapilā-tīrtha’s steps, the pilgrim stands freshly bathed, hands joined, while a tawny kapilā cow—garlanded and calm—faces a priest who receives the gift with mantra. The water behind them sparkles as if studded with light, and distant pilgrims carry lamps and offerings along the ghāṭa.","primary_figures":["pilgrim donor","kapilā cow","tīrtha priest","attendant pilgrims"],"setting":"Kapilā-tīrtha ghāṭa with ritual platform, garlands, water pots, and donation register/cloth bundle","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["tawny amber","marigold orange","deep indigo","gold leaf","stone gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central kapilā cow adorned with gold-embossed ornaments and flower garlands; donor and priest in rich silk with heavy jewelry; gold leaf shimmering on the river surface and halos around the ritual focus; ornate arch border and saturated reds/greens.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate ghāṭa scene with delicate rendering of the cow’s tawny coat, soft shadows, and fine textile patterns; cool river tones, understated architecture, and gentle devotional expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized cow and figures with bold outlines, rhythmic patterns on garlands, warm earthy pigments; the river as a decorative band, and the ritual moment frozen in iconic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: elaborate floral border with lotuses; central panel shows the kapilā cow gift at the tīrtha with repeating lamp motifs, peacocks near the steps, deep blue water with gold highlights, and intricate garment patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["mantra chanting","cow bells","temple bells","water lapping","incense crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजन्कपिलाम् = राजन् + कपिलाम्; यत्फलं = यत् + फलम्; तदवाप्नुयात् = तत् + अवाप्नुयात्
FAQs
Bathing at the specified sacred place (tīrtha-snān) and donating a tawny cow (kapilā-go-dāna).
It yields merit equivalent to the extraordinary gift of the entire earth—an emphatic way to express supreme religious merit.
That sincere ritual purity (snāna) combined with generous giving (dāna) is presented as a powerful means of accruing religious merit.