Shloka 18
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
इन्द्रतीर्थेति विख्यात॑ त्रिषु लोकेषु मानद । तस्या जिज्ञासनार्थ स भगवान् पाकशासन:
indratīrtheti vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu mānada | tasyā jijñāsanārthaṃ sa bhagavān pākaśāsanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O bestower of honor, the sacred ford known as ‘Indratīrtha’ is renowned in all the three worlds. Wishing to learn about it in full, that divine Pākaśāsana (Indra) himself set out with the intent to inquire.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic attitude toward sacred places: true understanding comes through humble inquiry (jijñāsā). Even a great deity like Indra seeks knowledge by asking, implying that reverence is joined with the discipline of learning.
Vaiśampāyana introduces a celebrated pilgrimage site called Indratīrtha, famed in all three worlds, and states that Indra (Pākaśāsana) himself wished to know its significance and therefore undertook inquiry about it.