Shloka 3
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
करतोयां समासाद्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति शक्रलोकं च गच्छति
karatoyāṃ samāsādya trirātropoṣito naraḥ | aśvamedhamavāpnoti śakralokaṃ ca gacchati
যে ব্যক্তি করতোয়া নদীতে গিয়ে তিন রাত্রি উপবাস করে, সে অশ্বমেধ যজ্ঞের ফল লাভ করে এবং ইন্দ্রলোক গমন করে।
Unspecified narrator (Purāṇic discourse context)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिरात्रोपोषितो → त्रिरात्र + उपोषितः; अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति → अश्वमेधम् + अवाप्नोति
FAQs
It presents the Karatoyā as a highly meritorious sacred place where a relatively accessible practice (a three-night fast) can yield extraordinary spiritual merit.
The Aśvamedha functions as a benchmark for supreme ritual merit; the verse elevates the tīrtha-vrata by stating it grants merit comparable to that major Vedic sacrifice.
It encourages disciplined self-restraint (fasting) combined with pilgrimage/holy association, portraying inner austerity as a potent means to spiritual reward.