Shloka 16
The Greatness of Prayāga: Fruits of Pilgrimage, Remembrance, and Cow-Gift
निष्फलं तस्य तत्तीर्थं यावत्तत्फलमश्नुते । एवं तीर्थेन गृह्णीयात् पुण्येष्वायतनेषु च
niṣphalaṃ tasya tattīrthaṃ yāvattatphalamaśnute | evaṃ tīrthena gṛhṇīyāt puṇyeṣvāyataneṣu ca
Với người ấy, tīrtha (bến nước thánh) vẫn vô quả cho đến khi người ấy thọ nhận được quả báo của nó. Cũng như vậy, nên cầu tích công đức nhờ hành hương đến các tīrtha và các thánh địa khác.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrative voice within Svargakhaṇḍa 42)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्तीर्थं → तत् + तीर्थम्; यावत्तत्फलमश्नुते → यावत् + तत्फलम् + अश्नुते; पुण्येष्वायतनेषु → पुण्येषु + आयतनेषु (उ + आ = वा-प्रकृत्या संधिः, लेखने 'ष्व').
FAQs
It states that a tīrtha is ‘fruitless’ for a person until its intended spiritual result is actually attained—implying that mere physical visitation is incomplete without receiving the promised benefit through proper engagement.
No. It explicitly adds that merit should also be obtained in other ‘holy abodes’ (āyatanas)—suggesting sanctified places such as temples, sacred seats, and recognized sites of religious merit.
It emphasizes purposeful practice: sacred acts and sacred places are meant to yield transformation and merit, so one should approach them with sincerity and right conduct rather than treating them as empty formalities.