अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः । सन्तोऽपि न गुणा वाच्याः स्वयं सद्भिः स्वका यतः
aho kaṣṭamidaṃ kūktaṃ tīrtharājena mohataḥ | santo'pi na guṇā vācyāḥ svayaṃ sadbhiḥ svakā yataḥ
唉!此言何其凄苦,竟由“诸圣地(tīrtha)之王”在迷妄中说出。因为即便真有德行,善人也不自夸其德;那本是自身之分。
Dharma (Dharma-deva)
Scene: Dharma addresses the assembly with a composed yet firm expression, gently chastising the tīrtha-rāja for deluded self-praise; the tīrtha-rāja appears chastened, the assembly attentive.
Self-praise is a mark of delusion; true goodness is modest and does not advertise itself.
A tīrtha identified as “Tīrtharāja” is discussed, in the context of how pride can diminish a place’s renown.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse teaches ethical restraint in speech, especially regarding one’s own merit.