Shloka 9
The Glory of Vārāṇasī
Catalogue of Tīrthas and a Liṅga-Installation Episode
गंगातीर्थं तु देवेशं ययातेस्तीर्थमुत्तमम् । कापिलं चैव सोमेशं ब्रह्मतीर्थमनुत्तमम्
gaṃgātīrthaṃ tu deveśaṃ yayātestīrthamuttamam | kāpilaṃ caiva someśaṃ brahmatīrthamanuttamam
গঙ্গা-তীৰ্থ আৰু দেৱেশ আছে; যযাতীৰ উত্তম তীৰ্থ; তদ্ৰূপ কাপিলা-তীৰ্থ আৰু সোমেশ; আৰু অনুত্তম ব্ৰহ্ম-তীৰ্থো আছে।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses; commonly framed as Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma in many Padma Purāṇa tīrtha sections).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ययातेस्तीर्थमुत्तमम् = ययातेः + तीर्थम् + उत्तमम्। चैव = च + एव। ब्रह्मतीर्थमनुत्तमम् = ब्रह्मतीर्थम् + अनुत्तमम्।
FAQs
It functions as a catalog-style line, naming multiple pilgrimage sites (tīrthas) and deity-linked locales, reflecting the Padma Purāṇa’s sacred-geography mapping where rivers, sages/kings, and deities anchor holiness to specific places.
By highlighting tīrthas associated with revered divine forms (e.g., Deveśa, Someśa) and cosmic figures (Brahmā), it encourages devotional engagement through pilgrimage, remembrance, and worship tied to sanctified locations.
The ethical thrust is reverence for dharma through tīrtha-yātrā: cultivating purity, humility, and gratitude by seeking sacred spaces connected with exemplary figures (like Yayāti) and divine presence.