Ahilyabai Holkar · Sanskrit Story
The Roads Between Pilgrimages
तीर्थयात्राणां मध्ये मार्गाः
S.N. Sen — Marathas; Archaeological Survey of India; Holkar dynasty administrative records · Beginner Sanskrit
Moral · नीतिः
मार्गः अपि तीर्थम्।
Mārgaḥ api tīrtham.
“The road itself is sacred.”
The Pilgrim's Journey
भारतखण्डे तीर्थयात्रा — धर्मस्य महत्त्वपूर्णः भागः। परन्तु मार्गाः दुर्गमाः, खण्डिताः, अरक्षिताः। वृद्धाः यात्रिकाः कष्टेन गच्छन्ति स्म। अहिल्या अचिन्तयत् — "मन्दिरनिर्माणं पर्याप्तं नास्ति। मार्गाः, कूपाः, छायास्थानानि — एतेऽपि आवश्यकाः।"
In the Indian subcontinent, pilgrimage (यात्रा — sacred journey) is central to dharma. But the roads were difficult, broken, unprotected. Elderly pilgrims struggled through with great hardship. Ahilya thought — "Building temples is not enough. Roads, wells, and shade-resting places — these too are necessary."
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