Shloka 76

The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power

Devanagari script

दशाश्वमेधिकं पुण्यं पुष्पदाने प्रकीर्तितम् । अग्निहोत्रफलं धृपे गन्धे भूदानजं फलम् ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

daśāśvamedhikaṃ puṇyaṃ puṣpadāne prakīrtitam | agnihotraphalaṃ dhṛpe gandhe bhūdānajaṃ phalam || 76 ||

Translation

পুষ্পদানক দহ অশ্বমেধ যজ্ঞৰ সমান পুণ্য বুলি কীৰ্তিত। ধূপ অৰ্পণে অগ্নিহোত্ৰৰ ফল, আৰু সুগন্ধ অৰ্পণে ভূমিদানৰ ফল লাভ হয়।

Word by Word

• दश-अश्वमेधिकम्: ten aśvamedha’s worth
• दश-अश्वमेधिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश (प्रातिपदिक) + अश्वमेधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1/2 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन); numeral compound meaning ‘tenfold aśvamedha-related’

• पुण्यम्: merit
• पुण्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1/2 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• पुष्प-दाने: in the offering of flowers
• पुष्प-दाने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• प्रकीर्तितम्: is declared
• प्रकीर्तितम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1/2 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन); passive sense ‘is proclaimed’

• अग्निहोत्र-फलम्: the fruit of agnihotra
• अग्निहोत्र-फलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्निहोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1/2 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• धूपे: in incense (offering)
• धूपे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• गन्धे: in fragrance/perfume
• गन्धे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• भू-दान-जम्: born of gifting land
• भू-दान-जम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1/2 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन); ‘arising from land-gift’

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1/2 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Agnihotra
• Ashvamedha

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

The verse elevates simple pūjā-offerings (flowers, incense, fragrance) by equating them with major Vedic rites and great gifts, teaching that sincere devotional giving can generate immense puṇya even without elaborate sacrifices.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By praising accessible offerings used in worship, it supports bhakti-oriented practice: devotion expressed through pūjā and dāna can yield results traditionally associated with large yajñas, emphasizing intent and reverence over scale.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure (Kalpa) is implied: the verse maps specific upacāras—puṣpa, dhūpa, gandha—to recognized Vedic fruits (Aśvamedha, Agnihotra, bhū-dāna), guiding practitioners in the ritual logic of equivalences.