Shloka 53
Śrīnivāsa at Svāmipuṣkariṇī: Darśana, Stotra, the Secret Veṅkaṭeśa Mantra, and the Meaning of “Vyaṅkaṭeśa”
भागीरथी चैव सरस्वती च गोदावरी सिंधुकृष्ण च वेणी / कलिन्दकन्या यमुना च नर्मदा कुर्व दृ
bhāgīrathī caiva sarasvatī ca godāvarī siṃdhukṛṣṇa ca veṇī / kalindakanyā yamunā ca narmadā kurva dṛ
Mögen Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā) und Sarasvatī, Godāvarī, Sindhu und Kṛṣṇā sowie Veṇī; die Tochter des Kalinda—Yamunā—und auch Narmadā—diese heilige Handlung zum Glück vollziehen.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Tirtha-smriti and the sanctifying power of rivers; purification through sacred remembrance and contact.
Vedantic Theme: Antahkarana-shuddhi (inner purification) as a preparatory limb for jnana/bhakti.
Application: Recite river-names during snana, sandhya, or before rites; cultivate ecological reverence and protect waterways as a dharmic duty.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: sacred rivers
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.25.54-55 (continuation of river/tirtha list)
FAQs
This verse lists major tīrtha-rivers as inherently purifying forces, implying their waters are authoritative aids in rites meant for cleansing and supporting post-death observances.
By invoking renowned rivers, the text signals the ritual value of holy water in offerings and purification steps commonly associated with preta-related ceremonies and ancestral rites.
When performing śrāddha or remembrance rites, use clean water with a reverential intention—traditionally, Gaṅgā-jala or water sanctified by prayer—emphasizing purity, sincerity, and dharmic conduct.