Shloka 61
Pilgrimage Sequence on Sacred Fords (Narmadā Region): Bhṛgu-tīrtha, Śiva-vratas, and Merit Amplification
तस्मिन्तीर्थे महाराज प्राणत्यागं करोति यः । चतुर्भुजस्त्रिनेत्रस्तु रुद्रतुल्यबलो भवेत्
tasmintīrthe mahārāja prāṇatyāgaṃ karoti yaḥ | caturbhujastrinetrastu rudratulyabalo bhavet
اے مہاراج، جو کوئی اُس تیرتھ پر پران تیاگ کرے، وہ چار بازوؤں والا اور تین آنکھوں والا ہو جاتا ہے، اور رُدر کے برابر قوّت پاتا ہے۔
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (mahārāja) within the chapter’s dialogue context
Concept: Dying at a supremely sanctified tīrtha is said to confer a divine form and immense power.
Application: Read as encouragement toward holy living and remembrance of God at life’s end; practically, cultivate daily ‘tīrtha’ through purity, japa, and charity rather than seeking self-harm or reckless death.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the Narmadā ford, a yogic pilgrim lies on kusa grass, eyes fixed on the river and the unseen Lord. As prāṇa departs, a radiant subtle body rises—now four-armed with Viṣṇu-like attributes, yet bearing a luminous third eye, surrounded by Rudra-like stormy vigor transmuted into divine light.","primary_figures":["departing pilgrim (yogin)","divine transformed form (caturbhuja, trinetra)","Narmadā-devī","attendant devas (optional)"],"setting":"Riverbank tīrtha with kusa mat, small fire-altar, distant shrine, swirling sacred mist above the water","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["electric gold","deep indigo","pearl white","vermillion","river jade"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic apotheosis at Narmadā-tīrtha, departing yogin transforming into a four-armed radiant figure with a subtle third eye, gold leaf aura, ornate jewelry, stylized waves, temple-ghāṭ architecture, rich reds/greens, heavy gold embellishment and traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverbank scene with delicate lines, the soul rising as a luminous caturbhuja figure, soft mist over water, cool twilight blues with warm gold highlights, refined facial features and gentle landscape depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat yet vibrant pigments, central transformed figure with four arms and third eye, patterned river waves, attendants in profile, strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic and sacred geometry framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Narmadā as stylized blue field with lotus clusters, central apotheosis figure framed by floral borders, gold detailing, peacocks and lamps on the ghāṭ, devotional textile symmetry with intricate ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","river current","low temple drum","wind through trees"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tasmintīrthe → tasmin tīrthe; caturbhujastrinetrastu → catur-bhujaḥ tri-netraḥ tu
FAQs
It states that relinquishing one’s life at the specified tīrtha grants a transformed, divine-like state—four arms, three eyes, and strength comparable to Rudra.
The wording is a phala-śruti about “prāṇa-tyāga” at a tīrtha; traditional purāṇic context usually treats this as the sanctifying power of a holy place at the end of life, not as a general encouragement of self-harm.
They are iconographic markers of divine status: four arms commonly signify superhuman power and sovereignty, while three eyes are strongly associated with Rudra/Śiva—together emphasizing exalted, godlike attainment.