Shloka 6
The Greatness of the Revā (Narmadā): Release from the Piśāca Curse
गंगादिपुण्यतीर्थेषु यो नरः स्नाति सर्वथा । यः करोति सतां संगं तयोः सत्संगमो वरः
gaṃgādipuṇyatīrtheṣu yo naraḥ snāti sarvathā | yaḥ karoti satāṃ saṃgaṃ tayoḥ satsaṃgamo varaḥ
گنگا وغیرہ کے پُنّیہ تیرتھوں میں جو شخص پوری طرح اشنان کرتا ہے، اور جو ستّوں کی سنگت اختیار کرتا ہے—ان دونوں میں ستسنگ ہی برتر ہے۔
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context likely within a Purāṇic dialogue).
Concept: Sat-saṅga surpasses even the merit of bathing in the holiest tīrthas; inner transformation through association is superior to external purification alone.
Application: Do not substitute spiritual tourism for character change; pair pilgrimage/ritual with time in the company of sincere practitioners, study, kīrtana, and service.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On one side, pilgrims bathe in the Gaṅgā at dawn, water sparkling with sacred light; on the other, a small circle of sādhus sits under a banyan tree, sharing quiet instruction and compassionate glances. The composition visually weighs the two, subtly showing the sādhu-circle as the brighter ‘inner river’ of purification.","primary_figures":["Pilgrims","Sādhus (virtuous devotees)","A narrator-sage figure (optional)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with ghāṭ steps, banyan tree, simple hermitage elements, distant temple spire and fluttering flags.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river turquoise","sunrise gold","lotus pink","saffron","stone gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene river ghāṭ with pilgrims in snāna on one side and a radiant sādhu-saṅga circle on the other; gold leaf on the sunrise, river highlights, and halos around sādhus; rich reds/greens in garments, ornate border with lotus and conch motifs, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Gaṅgā landscape with delicate ripples, pale dawn sky, and refined figures; sādhus under a banyan with subtle halos, cool mountain-like palette and gentle naturalism; fine brushwork on water and foliage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of ghāṭ steps and banyan; bright yellow dawn, green foliage, stylized pilgrims; sādhus depicted with calm, large eyes and rhythmic ornamentation; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Gaṅgā as a flowing blue ribbon bordered by lotuses; central emphasis on sādhu-saṅga as a luminous mandala; intricate floral borders, peacocks and cows as auspicious motifs, deep blues and gold, Nathdwara-inspired devotional richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","temple bells","conch shell","soft group chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंगादिपुण्यतीर्थेषु = गङ्गा + आदि + पुण्य + तीर्थेषु (समास); सत्संगमो = सत्संगमः (सत् + संगमः); तयोः सत्संगमो = तयोः + सत्संगमः
FAQs
It ranks spiritual practices, stating that keeping the company of the virtuous (sat-saṅga) is superior even to bathing in famous sacred tīrthas like the Gaṅgā.
No. It acknowledges tīrtha-snāna as meritorious, but emphasizes that inner transformation through the influence of saintly company is even more beneficial.
Choose uplifting companionship: regularly associating with truthful, disciplined, and compassionate people is presented as a powerful means of cultivating virtue and spiritual progress.