Shloka 14
The Glory of Bhārata-varṣa: Enumerating Mountains, Rivers, and Regions
करीषिणीं चित्रवहां त्रिसेनां चैव निम्नगाम् । गोमतीं धूतपापां च चंदनां च महानदीम्
karīṣiṇīṃ citravahāṃ trisenāṃ caiva nimnagām | gomatīṃ dhūtapāpāṃ ca caṃdanāṃ ca mahānadīm
كريشيني (Karīṣiṇī) وتشيترافها (Citravahā) وتريسينا (Trisenā) ونمنغا (Nimnagā)؛ وكذلك غوماتي (Gomatī) ودهوتابابا (Dhūtapāpā) وتشندنا (Candanā)—فهذه أيضًا أنهار عظيمة.
Unspecified (narrative catalogue of sacred rivers within the chapter context)
Concept: Smaraṇa of sacred rivers and their waters is a dharmic act that turns the mind toward purification and pilgrimage.
Application: Keep a simple daily practice of tīrtha-smaraṇa (remembering Gaṅgā and other rivers), support river-cleanliness, and when possible perform snāna/ācamana with a prayer of surrender to Nārāyaṇa.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A celestial map unfurls like a lotus-petal mandala, each petal becoming a river with shimmering Sanskrit name-glyphs floating above the current. Pilgrims and sages stand on a high riverbank terrace, offering arghya as the waters braid into a single luminous stream that seems to flow toward Viṣṇu’s feet.","primary_figures":["anonymous sages (dvijas)","pilgrims","personified river-goddesses (nadī-devīs)","Vishnu (subtle, as a distant radiant presence)"],"setting":"mythic river confluence landscape with multiple channels, ghats, and a distant temple spire; palm-leaf manuscripts and rosaries in the foreground","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","river-jade green","lotus pink","gold leaf","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a multi-river sacred panorama arranged as a lotus mandala; nadī-devīs as graceful crowned goddesses rising from waves, sages offering arghya at stone ghats; distant Viṣṇu aura above the horizon; heavy gold leaf on jewelry, river highlights, and Sanskrit river-name cartouches; rich vermilion, emerald, and deep blue with ornate temple borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical river-valley scene with delicate brushwork; multiple slender streams labeled in fine Devanāgarī; sages in white seated on grassy banks, small shrines and flowering trees; cool blues and greens with soft pink lotuses; misty hills framing the sacred geography.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; personified rivers as nadī-devīs with large expressive eyes, standing in stylized waves; sages performing ācamana; decorative floral borders and temple-arch motifs; dominant reds, yellows, greens with blue water bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river-nāmāvalī as an ornate border of flowing blue bands and lotus motifs; central subtle Viṣṇu-padma emblem; peacocks and cows near ghats; intricate floral filigree and gold accents; deep indigo background with pink lotuses and white foam patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","soft conch shell","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
FAQs
It catalogs revered rivers by name, reflecting the Purana’s tirtha-oriented sacred geography where rivers are treated as spiritually potent pilgrimage sites.
Such names encode a theological function: contact with, remembrance of, or pilgrimage to these waters is portrayed as purifying and merit-producing (puṇya).
The verse encourages reverence for sacred waters and the pilgrimage culture tied to self-purification, restraint, and devotion—valuing inner cleansing alongside outward sacred travel.