Shloka 6
The Greatness of the Viṣṇu-pañcaka
Five-Day Kārttika Observance
सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं विख्यातं विष्णुपंचकम् । तत्र स्नानं तु यः कुर्यात्सर्वतीर्थफलं लभेत्
sarvapāpaharaṃ puṇyaṃ vikhyātaṃ viṣṇupaṃcakam | tatra snānaṃ tu yaḥ kuryātsarvatīrthaphalaṃ labhet
Viṣṇu-pañcaka lừng danh ấy là phước lành thanh tịnh, diệt trừ mọi tội. Ai tắm tại đó sẽ được công đức của hết thảy thánh địa hành hương.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the chapter context)
Concept: Snāna at a Viṣṇu-sanctified tīrtha destroys sin and grants the aggregate fruit of all pilgrimages.
Application: Undertake periodic sacred bathing with a devotional intention; when travel is limited, prioritize a Viṣṇu-temple tank/river-ghāṭ with mantra-japa and ethical restraint to align outer snāna with inner śauca.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene Vaiṣṇava tīrtha composed of five adjoining kundas, each edged with lotus blooms and carved śaṅkha-cakra motifs. Pilgrims descend stone steps for snāna while a small shrine of Viṣṇu radiates calm, suggesting that all tīrthas converge here in subtle light.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (as tīrtha-adhīśa)","pilgrims (men and women)","a guiding brāhmaṇa-priest"],"setting":"Five sacred bathing tanks beside a Viṣṇu temple, with tulasī groves and flagpoles, conch and discus emblems on the ghāṭ stones.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","sandstone ochre","emerald green","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu enthroned in a small sanctum beside a five-kunda tīrtha, gold leaf halo and prabhāmaṇḍala, gem-studded crown, śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, pilgrims at the ghāṭ offering arghya, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, ornate temple pillars, embossed gold detailing on lotus borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical riverside-tīrtha with five stepped kundas nestled in a gentle landscape, delicate linework, cool blues and greens, pilgrims in simple garments, a small Viṣṇu shrine with fluttering dhvaja, soft atmospheric perspective, refined faces and quiet devotion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Viṣṇu with large expressive eyes near a pañca-tīrtha, stylized lotus ponds and ghāṭ steps, natural pigment palette of red/yellow/green with deep blue water, temple lamp motifs and symmetrical ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a Vaiṣṇava tīrtha scene framed by intricate floral borders and lotus clusters, deep indigo waters with floating lotuses, central Viṣṇu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) above the five kundas, devotees performing snāna and offering flowers, abundant gold highlights and peacocks at the margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","conch shell","morning birds","soft crowd murmur"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यात्सर्वतीर्थफलम् = कुर्यात् + सर्वतीर्थफलम् (त् + स → त्स).
FAQs
It presents tīrtha-snān at the Viṣṇu-pañcaka as exceptionally efficacious—granting the combined spiritual merit attributed to bathing at all pilgrimage-sites.
By naming Viṣṇu (through “Viṣṇu-pañcaka”) as the locus of purifying power, it frames pilgrimage merit and sin-removal around devotion to and association with Viṣṇu.
It encourages seeking purification through sincere sacred practice (here, bathing at a revered site) and suggests that concentrated devotion at a sanctified locus can equal extensive pilgrimage.