Shloka 20
Description of the Origin of the Cosmic Egg (Brahmāṇḍa) and the Ocean as King of Tīrthas
तमो नाशं यथाभ्येति भास्करेऽभ्युदिते सति । कोट्यो नवनवत्यस्तु यत्र तीर्थानि संति वै ॥ २० ॥
tamo nāśaṃ yathābhyeti bhāskare'bhyudite sati | koṭyo navanavatyastu yatra tīrthāni saṃti vai || 20 ||
Như bóng tối bị tiêu tan khi mặt trời mọc, cũng vậy, tại thánh xứ ấy quả thật có chín mươi chín koṭi tīrtha (99 crores thánh địa).
Narada (narration within Tirtha-Mahatmya discourse; traditional dialogue frame: Narada and Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It uses the sunrise metaphor to teach that proximity to a powerful tīrtha dispels inner darkness (tamas/avidyā) and emphasizes the extraordinary sanctity of the region by describing an immense multitude of pilgrimage-forces.
By likening the Sun’s rise to the removal of darkness, it implies that contact with sacred presence—typically approached through श्रद्धा (faith), pilgrimage, and worship—naturally clears obscurations, supporting a bhakti-oriented practice centered on tīrtha-sevā and remembrance.
The verse points to Jyotiṣa-style imagery (the Sun’s rising as a marker of transformation) and supports practical tīrtha-dharma—planning pilgrimage and rites around auspicious times associated with solar movement—though it does not teach a technical Vedāṅga rule directly.