The Greatness of the Kāliṇdī (Yamunā): Merit of Bathing, Charity, and Faith
स्नातास्तत्र च ये राजन्सर्वकामफलप्रदे । शुभांश्च भुंजते भोगांश्चंद्र सूर्यग्रहोपमान्
snātāstatra ca ye rājansarvakāmaphalaprade | śubhāṃśca bhuṃjate bhogāṃścaṃdra sūryagrahopamān
Tâu Đại vương, những ai tắm gội tại nơi ấy—nơi ban quả báo cho mọi điều mong cầu—sẽ thọ hưởng các lạc thú cát tường, rực rỡ như ánh trăng, mặt trời và các hành tinh.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan)
Concept: Sacred bathing yields tangible phala—fulfillment of aims and auspicious enjoyments—depicted in cosmic imagery (moon, sun, grahas).
Application: When seeking results from sacred acts, add saṅkalpa of offering the merit to Viṣṇu; cultivate gratitude and restraint so ‘bhoga’ does not eclipse ‘bhakti’.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Pilgrims emerge from the Yamunā with wet garments shimmering, and above them the sky blooms with symbolic orbs—moon, sun, and the planetary lights—arranged like a celestial mandala of reward. The ghāṭa is strewn with flowers and lamps, suggesting that tīrtha-phala manifests as radiance and auspicious prosperity.","primary_figures":["pilgrims/bathers","celestial personifications of Sūrya, Candra, and Grahas (symbolic)"],"setting":"Yamunā ghāṭa with temple skyline and a wide open sky for cosmic imagery","lighting_mood":"golden dawn transitioning to bright day","color_palette":["sun-gold","moon-silver","lapis blue","marigold orange","white jasmine"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotees at a Yamunā ghāṭa receiving blessings, with a gold-leaf celestial mandala of sun, moon, and grahas overhead; rich reds/greens in attire, gem-studded ornaments, ornate temple arch framing the scene; luminous gold highlights on water and planetary discs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant bathers on stone steps, delicate sky gradient with stylized sun and moon, small planetary discs like jeweled dots; refined facial features, soft naturalism, cool river blues contrasted with warm celestial tones.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold circular sun and moon motifs above rhythmic wave patterns; devotees in simplified iconic poses; strong reds/yellows/greens with black outlines; decorative border of lotus and conch patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Yamunā ghāṭa framed by intricate floral borders, floating diyas, and lotus motifs; overhead a symmetrical celestial arrangement in gold and silver tones; peacocks and cows at the margins, deep blues and gold typical of Nathdwara tradition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","crowd murmur","flowing water","hand cymbals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: snātāḥ tatra → snātāstatra; rājan sarva-… → rājansarva…; śubhān ca → śubhāṃśca (anusvāra sandhi); bhogān candra… → bhogāṃścaṃdra… (anusvāra sandhi); candra-sūrya-graha-upamān written as caṃdra sūryagrahopamān in IAST due to sandhi/spacing.
It presents tīrtha-snāna as a merit-generating act whose result is described as “sarvakāmaphalapradā”—capable of yielding the fruits of many aims—culminating in auspicious enjoyments.
It is a poetic comparison indicating brilliance, excellence, and elevated (heavenly) quality of enjoyment, not a literal equivalence to celestial bodies.
The verse encourages disciplined sacred practice—especially bathing at sanctified places—framing it as a wholesome, auspicious pursuit aligned with dharma and beneficial outcomes.