Shloka 27

Tīrtha-Māhātmya: Catalog of Sacred Places and the Supreme Inner Tīrtha

Devanagari script

सर्वा नद्यः सर्वशैलाः तीर्थं देवादिसेवितम् / श्रीरङ्गं च हरेस्तीर्थं तापी श्रेष्ठा महानदी

Transliteration

sarvā nadyaḥ sarvaśailāḥ tīrthaṃ devādisevitam / śrīraṅgaṃ ca harestīrthaṃ tāpī śreṣṭhā mahānadī

Translation

সমস্ত নদী ও সমস্ত পর্বতই তীর্থস্বরূপ, দেবতা প্রভৃতি যাদের সেবা ও পূজা করেন। শ্রীরঙ্গ হরির নিজস্ব পবিত্র তীর্থ, আর তাপী মহা-নদীগুলির মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠ।

Word by Word

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• नद्यः: rivers
• नद्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

• सर्वशैलाः: all mountains
• सर्वशैलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + शैल (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सर्वे शैलाः)

• तीर्थम्: a sacred ford; pilgrimage place
• तीर्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• देवादिसेवितम्: served/visited by gods and others
• देवादिसेवितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव + आदि + सेवित (सेव् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle)

• श्रीरङ्गम्: Śrīraṅga (place/name)
• श्रीरङ्गम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री + रङ्ग (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (श्रियः रङ्गः) नाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• हरेः: of Hari (Viṣṇu)
• हरेः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• तीर्थम्: tīrtha; sacred place
• तीर्थम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• तापी: the Tāpi (Tapti) river
• तापी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; नदी-नाम

• श्रेष्ठा: best; excellent
• श्रेष्ठा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण

• महानदी: great river
• महानदी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + नदी (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महती नदी)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacredness pervades creation; yet certain loci (Hari’s tīrtha) intensify devotional access and merit.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara immanence in the world (sarva-bhūta-stha); tīrtha as a support (ālambana) for bhakti and purification.

Application: Approach rivers/mountains with reverence and ecological restraint; undertake pilgrimage as bhakti-practice, not mere tourism; remember Hari at Śrīraṅga and in all waters.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple-tīrtha and river

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.81 (catalog of tīrthas and rivers)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Hari (Vishnu)
• Śrīraṅga
• Tāpi (Tapti) River

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrthas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames rivers and mountains as inherently sacred tīrthas, honored even by devas, emphasizing pilgrimage as a dharmic means of purification and merit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by elevating tīrtha-sevā and devotion to Hari’s holy places (like Śrīraṅga) as merit-producing actions, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that one’s deeds and sacred observances shape post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat natural sacred sites with reverence (non-pollution, ethical conduct), and if undertaking pilgrimage, pair it with devotion and disciplined living rather than viewing it as merely travel.