Shloka 42

The Greatness of Kāśī (Avimukta): Pilgrimage Calendar, Yātrā-Dharma, and the Network of Śiva-Liṅgas

Devanagari script

वाराणसीमभ्युपेत्य पंचायतनमुत्तमम् । आराध्यमानो देवशं भीष्मस्तत्र स्थितोऽभवत् ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

vārāṇasīmabhyupetya paṃcāyatanamuttamam | ārādhyamāno devaśaṃ bhīṣmastatra sthito'bhavat || 42 ||

Translation

Nachdem er Vārāṇasī und das erhabene Pañcāyatana-Heiligtum erreicht hatte, blieb Bhīṣma dort, verehrt von Scharen göttlicher Wesen.

Word by Word

• वाराणसीम्: Vārāṇasī
• वाराणसीम्: कर्म (Object/goal of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाराणसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अभ्युपेत्य: having approached
• अभ्युपेत्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + उप + √इ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal) ‘having approached’

• पञ्च-आयतनम्: the five-shrine complex (pañcāyatana)
• पञ्च-आयतनम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + आयतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); समासः द्विगु (numeral compound)

• उत्तमम्: excellent/supreme
• उत्तमम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of ‘पञ्चायतनम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (qualifier)

• आराध्यमानः: being worshipped
• आराध्यमानः: कर्ता (Subject—describing Bhīṣma)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √राध् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक कर्मणि कृदन्त (Present passive participle/शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘being worshipped’

• देवशम्: by divine will
• देवशम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: देवश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘according to the gods/at divine will’ (usage as adverb)

• भीष्मः: Bhīṣma
• भीष्मः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• स्थितः: remained/stood
• स्थितः: कर्ता (Predicate participle of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘standing/remaining’

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Tirtha-Mahatmya section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Varanasi (Kashi)
• Pancayatana
• Bhishma
• Devas

FAQs

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

It elevates Kashi (Varanasi) as a supreme tirtha where great devotees like Bhishma abide and are honoured even by the devas, indicating the extraordinary sanctity and merit (punya) of the place.

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

Bhishma’s presence at the Pañcāyatana and his being revered by divine hosts highlights that steadfast worship and residence in a sacred Vishnu–Shiva tirtha environment supports bhakti, attracting divine grace and recognition.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily reflects tirtha-dharma and temple-ritual culture (ārādhana/upāsanā) rather than a specific Vedanga; it implies correct ritual worship (kalpa-prayoga) through the mention of a formal shrine (pañcāyatana) and worship by devas.