Shloka 6

Kārtika-Māhātmya

The Greatness of Kārtika

Devanagari script

सुगंधिशालिपक्वाढ्ये कुंभोद्भवविलोकिते । मध्यप्रवाहयुक्तासु निम्नगासु समंततः ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

sugaṃdhiśālipakvāḍhye kuṃbhodbhavavilokite | madhyapravāhayuktāsu nimnagāsu samaṃtataḥ || 6 ||

Translation

All around lay low-lying river-streams with a steady mid-current, rich with ripened, fragrant rice-fields, and made auspicious by the glance of the pot-born sage Agastya.

Word by Word

• सुगन्धि-शालि-पक्व-आढ्ये: in (a place) rich in fragrant, ripe śāli-rice
• सुगन्धि-शालि-पक्व-आढ्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुगन्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + शालि (प्रातिपदिक) + पक्व (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); बहुपद-कर्मधारय-समास (descriptive compound) qualifying an implied locus (e.g., देशे/काले)

• कुम्भ-उद्भव-विलोकिते: in (a place) seen/observed by Kumbhodbhava (Agastya)
• कुम्भ-उद्भव-विलोकिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक) + विलोकित (कृदन्त/क्त)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); तत्पुरुष-समास; विलोकित = √लोक् (धातु) + वि + क्त (PPP)

• मध्य-प्रवाह-युक्तासु: in those (rivers) having a central current
• मध्य-प्रवाह-युक्तासु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवाह (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त/क्त)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), बहुवचन (Plural), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine); तत्पुरुष: ‘मध्यः प्रवाहः’ (central current) + युक्त (endowed with)

• निम्नगासु: in the rivers
• निम्नगासु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निम्नगा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), बहुवचन (Plural), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine)

• समन्ततः: on all sides; everywhere
• समन्ततः: Desha-adhikarana (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Tirtha-Mahatmya in Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Agastya

FAQs

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

It portrays a tirtha-region as spiritually potent: fertile, pure-flowing rivers and the presence/blessing of a revered rishi (Agastya) together mark a landscape fit for merit (puṇya) through pilgrimage, bathing, and worship.

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

By emphasizing a sanctified environment—holy rivers and a rishi’s auspicious presence—it supports the Purāṇic bhakti framework where devotion is nourished through tirtha-sevā: visiting sacred places, performing worship with faith, and remembering the divine in purified surroundings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it reflects Kalpa (ritual practice) through the tirtha context: choosing appropriate sacred waters/locations for snāna and related rites; it also hints at traditional sacred geography used to guide pilgrimage practice.