Shloka 22
Plakṣaprasravaṇa–Kārapacana tīrtha-varṇana and Nārada’s war briefing (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 53)
पांसवो5पि कुरुक्षेत्राद् वायुना समुदीरिता: । अपि दुष्कृतकर्माणं नयन्ति परमां गतिम्,“कुरक्षेत्रसे वायुद्वारा उड़ायी हुई धूलियाँ भी यदि ऊपर पड़ जाय॑ँ तो वे पापी मनुष्यको भी परमपदकी प्राप्ति कराती हैं
Pāṁsavo ’pi Kurukṣetrād vāyunā samudīritāḥ | api duṣkṛtakarmāṇaṁ nayanti paramāṁ gatim ||
Rāma said: “Even the dust-particles from Kurukṣetra, when lifted and carried by the wind, can lead even a person of sinful deeds to the highest state. Such is the sanctifying power attributed to this field of dharma.”
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the extraordinary sanctifying merit (puṇya) traditionally ascribed to Kurukṣetra: mere contact—even indirectly through wind-borne dust—is said to purify grave wrongdoing and orient a person toward the highest spiritual end (paramā gati). It emphasizes the Mahābhārata theme that dharma-kshetras and sacred associations can catalyze moral and spiritual transformation.
In the Shalya Parva’s Kurukṣetra-centered discourse, Rāma is presented as speaking in praise of Kurukṣetra’s holiness. He asserts that the very dust of the battlefield, stirred by the wind, possesses purificatory power strong enough to elevate even sinners—framing Kurukṣetra not only as a war-ground but as a dharma-field with salvific potency.