Shloka 22
Narmadā Māhātmya with the Praise of Amarakantaka Tīrthas
सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च सर्वभूतहिते रतः । एवं सर्वसमाचारः क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत्
sarvahiṃsānivṛttaśca sarvabhūtahite rataḥ | evaṃ sarvasamācāraḥ kṣetrapālānparivrajet
远离一切伤害，乐行于利益众生——具足如是诸善行仪——应当巡礼诸处，礼敬护持圣域的护方神（kṣetrapāla）。
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: True tīrtha-sevana requires ahiṃsā and active goodwill toward all beings; outer pilgrimage is validated by inner ethics.
Application: Practice non-harm in diet, speech, and behavior; volunteer/service during pilgrimages; treat animals, locals, and fellow pilgrims as part of the sacred field.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the threshold of a sacred grove, a pilgrim approaches a fierce yet protective kṣetrapāla shrine—stone icon garlanded with bilva and wildflowers—offering lamps with trembling reverence. Around him, animals drink peacefully at a small kund, signaling the vow of nonviolence and universal goodwill that sanctifies the journey.","primary_figures":["pilgrim devotee","kṣetrapāla (guardian deity, icon form)","forest animals (deer, birds)"],"setting":"Sacred grove entrance with a guardian shrine, small water tank, and path leading deeper into the kṣetra.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-flame orange","stone grey","leaf green","marigold yellow","night blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: kṣetrapāla shrine centered with gold-leaf aura, pilgrim offering deepa and flowers, ornate arch with rich reds and greens, embossed gold borders, gem-like highlights on garlands, serene animals at the kund to emphasize ahiṃsā.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate grove scene with delicate foliage, small guardian icon under a tree, pilgrim in simple attire with folded hands, cool twilight palette, fine brushwork on lamps and flowers, gentle naturalism and devotional quiet.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized guardian deity icon with bold outlines, pilgrim in profile offering lamp, patterned grove background, strong red-yellow-green pigments, temple-wall symmetry, expressive eyes and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: guardian shrine framed by lotus and floral borders, repeated lamp motifs, peacocks perched on branches, deep indigo ground with gold and saffron highlights, devotional textile detailing that balances fierceness and protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["oil-lamp crackle","soft bells","night insects","distant water","conch shell (faint)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च → सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तः + च; क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत् → क्षेत्रपालान् + परिव्रजेत्.
FAQs
Kṣetrapālas are guardians of a sacred area (temple precincts, tīrthas, or holy regions). The verse frames approaching them as part of disciplined, ethical pilgrimage conduct.
It emphasizes ahiṃsā (complete non-violence) and active concern for the welfare of all beings, presenting moral purity as the foundation for religious travel and worship.
It instructs a person of proper conduct—marked by non-violence and universal benevolence—to go about visiting the kṣetrapālas, i.e., to respectfully approach the guardians associated with sacred sites.