Shloka 23
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
तत्रैव च महाराज यक्षिणीं लोकविश्रुताम् । स््नात्वाभिगम्य राजेन्द्र सर्वान् कामानवाप्लुयात्,महाराज! वहीं लोकविख्यात यक्षिणीतीर्थ है। राजेन्द्र! उसमें जानेसे और स्नान करनेसे सम्पूर्ण कामनाओंकी पूर्ति होती है
tatraiva ca mahārāja yakṣiṇīṃ lokaviśrutām | snātvābhigamya rājendra sarvān kāmān avāpnuyāt ||
“Ngay tại đó, hỡi đại vương, có thánh địa Yakṣiṇī lừng danh khắp thế gian. Hỡi chúa tể các vua, chỉ cần đến và tắm tại đó, người ta sẽ được viên mãn mọi ước nguyện.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s tīrtha-ethic: approaching a sacred place with reverence and performing ritual bathing is presented as a potent means to gain desired outcomes, reflecting faith in the moral-spiritual efficacy (puṇya) of pilgrimage.
A speaker addresses a king and points out a famous Yakṣiṇī-associated sacred bathing spot, stating that visiting it and bathing there grants the fulfillment of all wishes—typical of the Vana Parva’s guidance through holy places and their promised fruits.