Shloka 19

Description of the Origin of the Cosmic Egg (Brahmāṇḍa) and the Ocean as King of Tīrthas

Devanagari script

राजा समस्ततीर्थानां सागरः सरितां पतिः । तस्मात्समस्ततीर्थेभ्यः श्रेष्ठोऽसौ सर्वकामदः ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

rājā samastatīrthānāṃ sāgaraḥ saritāṃ patiḥ | tasmātsamastatīrthebhyaḥ śreṣṭho'sau sarvakāmadaḥ || 19 ||

Translation

Der Ozean ist der König aller Tīrthas, der Herr der Flüsse. Darum ist er unter allen Tīrthas der Höchste und gewährt die Erfüllung jedes Wunsches.

Word by Word

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• समस्ततीर्थानाम्: of all pilgrimage places
• समस्ततीर्थानाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘समस्तानि तीर्थानि’)

• सागरः: the ocean
• सागरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• सरिताम्: of rivers
• सरिताम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• पतिः: lord/master
• पतिः: Viśeṣya/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘सागरः’ इत्यस्य विधेय (predicate nominative)

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; अपादान/हेतौ ‘therefore/from that’

• समस्ततीर्थेभ्यः: than all pilgrimage places
• समस्ततीर्थेभ्यः: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘समस्तानि तीर्थानि’)

• श्रेष्ठः: superior
• श्रेष्ठः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तुलनार्थे (comparative sense)

• असौ: this (one)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; संकेतार्थक (demonstrative)

• सर्वकामदः: giver of all desires
• सर्वकामदः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + काम + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (‘सर्वान् कामान् ददाति’)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition; Uttara-Bhaga tirtha narration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Sagara (Ocean)

FAQs

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

It elevates the Ocean (Sāgara) as the foremost tīrtha, presenting sea-contact (such as pilgrimage and ritual bathing) as exceptionally meritorious and capable of granting desired spiritual and worldly fruits.

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

By praising a tīrtha as “supreme” and “all-boon-giving,” the verse supports bhakti-oriented practice through tīrtha-yātrā—approaching sacred places with faith, humility, and reverence as a devotional act.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application (Kalpa) is implied: tīrtha-snāna and pilgrimage are treated as dhārmic acts with specific phala (results), guiding how sacred geography is used within Vedic-Puranic observance.