Shloka 52

Description of the Pilgrimage to the Sacred Tīrthas

Kurukṣetra-yātrā-krama

Devanagari script

सुतीर्थके नरः स्नात्वा देवर्षिपितृमानवान् । समभ्यर्च्याश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलमाप्नुयात् ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

sutīrthake naraḥ snātvā devarṣipitṛmānavān | samabhyarcyāśvamedhasya yajñasya phalamāpnuyāt || 52 ||

Translation

সুতীৰ্থকত স্নান কৰি যিয়ে দেৱতা, দেৱৰ্ষি, পিতৃগণ আৰু মানৱ-অতিথিসকলক বিধিপূৰ্বক পূজা কৰে, সি অশ্বমেধ যজ্ঞৰ ফল লাভ কৰে॥৫২॥

Word by Word

• su-tīrthake: at the excellent tīrtha
• su-tīrthake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + tīrthaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—कर्मधारयः (सु + tīrthaka = उत्तमं tīrthakam)

• naraḥ: a man
• naraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• snātvā: having bathed
• snātvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: snā (स्ना धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा)

• deva-ṛṣi-pitṛ-mānavān: the gods, sages, ancestors, and humans
• deva-ṛṣi-pitṛ-mānavān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक) + pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + mānava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः; members: devas, ṛṣis, pitṛs, mānavas

• samabhyarcya: having duly worshipped
• samabhyarcya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√arc (सम् + अर्च् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), indeclinable; upasarga: सम्, अभि

• aśvamedhasya: of the Aśvamedha
• aśvamedhasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśva (प्रातिपदिक) + medha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (aśvasya medhaḥ)

• yajñasya: of the sacrifice
• yajñasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• phalam: fruit/result
• phalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• āpnuyāt: may obtain
• āpnuyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: āp (आप् धातु)
• Form: Optative/vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Tirtha-Mahatmya section; traditional dialogue setting with Sanatkumara is implied for Book 2 narratives)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devarshi
• Pitrs
• Aśvamedha
• Sutīrthaka

FAQs

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

It teaches that tīrtha-snāna (bathing at a sacred ford) becomes spiritually complete when joined with reverence to devas, ṛṣis, pitṛs, and human guests—yielding merit comparable to an Aśvamedha.

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

While framed as a pilgrimage act, it emphasizes devotional reverence (archana) and gratitude toward sacred beings and dependents; such honoring is a practical expression of bhakti and dharmic humility.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharmaśāstra-style conduct: tīrtha-snāna, proper worship/offerings, and the ethic of honoring pitṛs and atithis (human guests) as part of ritual completeness.