Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage

Yātrā-vidhi

Devanagari script

तत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात् संगमे संशितव्रतः / तुल्यं फलवाप्नोति राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः

Transliteration

tatrābhiṣekaṃ yaḥ kuryāt saṃgame saṃśitavrataḥ / tulyaṃ phalavāpnoti rājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ

Translation

যি নিয়মব্ৰতধাৰী ব্যক্তি সেই সঙ্গমত অভিষেক (পবিত্ৰ স্নান) কৰে, সি ৰাজসূয় আৰু অশ্বমেধ যজ্ঞৰ সমান ফল লাভ কৰে।

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (there)

• अभिषेकम्: ablution/ritual bath
• अभिषेकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• संगमे: at the confluence
• संगमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संशितव्रतः: of firm vow
• संशितव्रतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संशित-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (यः); तत्पुरुषः (संशितं व्रतं यस्य = one whose vow is sharpened/firm)

• तुल्यम्: equal
• तुल्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (equally)

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अवाप्नोति: obtains
• अवाप्नोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present indicative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः: of the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha (sacrifices)
• राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजसूय-अश्वमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (राजसूयश्च अश्वमेधश्च)

Speaker

Traditional Purana narrator (Vyasa/Suta-style narration) describing tirtha-mahatmya; presented as authoritative instruction within the Kurma Purana’s pilgrimage discourse

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Rajasūya
• Aśvamedha
• Saṅgama (sacred confluence)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification through disciplined vows and sacred rites; in the Kurma Purana’s broader teaching, such purification prepares the seeker for Atma-jnana by making the mind fit for devotion and yogic insight.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights vrata-niyama (firm vows/discipline) and ritual purification at a tirtha-saṅgama; these function as preparatory sādhana—supporting inner steadiness that later matures into the Kurma Purana’s yogic path (including Pāśupata-oriented restraint and worship).

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

By valuing tirtha-abhisheka and disciplined dharma as universally efficacious, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance: the same sacred order supports devotion and liberation across Shaiva and Vaishnava modes, without sectarian exclusion.