Shloka 24

Devanagari script

पुण्यतीर्थ सुसलिलं कुरुक्षेत्रं प्रकीर्तितम्‌ । सिंधूत्तमं तपोदानं जम्बूमार्गमथापि च

Transliteration

puṇyatīrtha susalilaṁ kurukṣetraṁ prakīrtitam | sindhūttamaṁ tapodānaṁ jambūmārgam athāpi ca ||

Translation

Bhīṣma says: Kurukṣetra is celebrated as a supremely meritorious pilgrimage-ground, rich in pure waters. Along with it are praised the excellent Sindhu, the sacred paths of austerity (tapas) and giving (dāna), and also Jambūmārga.

Word by Word

• पुण्यतीर्थम्: the holy pilgrimage-place
• पुण्यतीर्थम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्यतीर्थ
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• सु-सलिलम्: having good/clear waters
• सु-सलिलम्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुसलिल
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Kurukṣetra
• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरुक्षेत्र
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• प्रकीर्तितम्: is proclaimed/celebrated
• प्रकीर्तितम्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-कीर्तित
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular, Past participle (kta), कीर्त् (कीर्तयति) / √कीर्त्, Passive sense

• सिन्धु-उत्तमम्: the best sea/ocean
• सिन्धु-उत्तमम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिन्धूत्तम
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• तपः-दानम्: austerity and charity
• तपः-दानम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपोदान
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• जम्बू-मार्गम्: Jambū-mārga (a sacred route/region-name)
• जम्बू-मार्गम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: जम्बूमार्ग
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अथ: and then/also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Kurukṣetra
• Sindhu
• Tapas (austerity)
• Dāna (charity)
• Jambūmārga

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse elevates sacred places and dharmic disciplines as means of purification and protection: remembering Kurukṣetra as a puṇyatīrtha and honoring tapas (self-discipline) and dāna (generosity) reinforces a life oriented toward merit and righteousness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is reciting a praise/invocation that enumerates holy places and dharmic supports. This line introduces Kurukṣetra and related sacred referents as part of a broader litany meant to sanctify, invoke auspiciousness, and secure protection through remembrance.