Shloka 19

Jāmbavatī’s Vaiṣṇava-Ācāra: Grace, Sense-Consecration, and Pilgrimage to Śrīnivāsa on Veṅkaṭādri

Devanagari script

पश्चात्कल्पं कारयामास देवी विष्णोरग्रे तीर्थयात्रार्थमेव / यावत्कालं तीर्थयात्रा मुकुन्द तावत्कालं तूर्ध्वरेता भवामि

Transliteration

paścātkalpaṃ kārayāmāsa devī viṣṇoragre tīrthayātrārthameva / yāvatkālaṃ tīrthayātrā mukunda tāvatkālaṃ tūrdhvaretā bhavāmi

Translation

ثمّ جعلتِ الإلهةُ نذرًا مقدّسًا يُؤدَّى أمام فيشنو، لا لغايةٍ إلا رحلةَ الحجّ إلى المواضع المقدّسة. «يا مُكُندا، ما دامت هذه الرحلةُ قائمة، فطوال تلك المدّة سأبقى عفيفةً، كابحةً للطاقة الحيوية وموجِّهةً إيّاها صعودًا (في ضبط النفس).»

Word by Word

• paścāt: afterwards
• paścāt: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paścāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• kalpam: a rite/arrangement (kalpa)
• kalpam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kārayāmāsa: caused to be done / had performed
• kārayāmāsa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु) [णिच् causative]
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Causative (णिच्)

• devī: the Goddess
• devī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• agre: in front (of)
• agre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• tīrthayātrā-artham: for the purpose of pilgrimage
• tīrthayātrā-artham: Hetu/Prayojana (हेतु/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha-yātrā-artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Compound: tīrtha + yātrā (Tatpurusha) + artha (purpose)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• yāvat-kālam: for as long a time as
• yāvat-kālam: Kāla-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāvat-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Avyayībhāva sense: 'as long as (time)'

• tīrthayātrā: pilgrimage
• tīrthayātrā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha-yātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); Compound: tīrtha + yātrā

• mukunda: O Mukunda
• mukunda: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukunda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• tāvat-kālam: for that long
• tāvat-kālam: Kāla-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāvat-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Avyayībhāva sense: 'for that long (time)'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (निपात), contrast

• ūrdhva-retāḥ: celibate / practicing continence
• ūrdhva-retāḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ūrdhva-retas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); Bahuvrīhi: ūrdhva + retas = 'one whose semen is upward' (celibate)

• bhavāmi: I become / I shall be
• bhavāmi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Narrator within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue (Vishnu describing the episode)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vrata-niyama during pilgrimage: brahmacarya/continence as tapas offered to Mukunda, strengthening devotion and purity.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and tapas as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; disciplined vows support steadiness in bhakti and readiness for higher knowledge.

Application: When undertaking spiritual commitments, set clear boundaries (sexual restraint, simplicity, truthfulness) for a defined period; keep the vow accountable to a sacred intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: shrine/temple and pilgrimage circuit

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata and tīrtha-related observances; emphasis on niyama and purity as supports for auspicious outcomes

Characters & Entities

• Devi
• Vishnu
• Mukunda

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames pilgrimage as a dharmic observance supported by a formal vow (kalpa/vrata), implying that inner discipline and purity are integral to gaining the intended spiritual merit of visiting tīrthas.

What does ūrdhva-retā mean in this verse?

Here ūrdhva-retā indicates continence and the upward restraint of vital energy during the pilgrimage-vow, emphasizing self-control as part of sacred practice rather than mere physical travel.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat pilgrimages and religious visits as disciplined vows: keep ethical conduct, moderation, and mental purity during the journey, so the outer ritual aligns with inner transformation.