Shloka 52
Tīrtha-yātrā-varṇana
Description of Pilgrimage to the Sacred Fords
गतेषु राक्षसेष्वेवं लिंगं तत्रैव संस्थितम् । स्थानेऽतिरुचिरे शुभ्रे देवदेवः स्वयं प्रभुः ॥ ५२ ॥
gateṣu rākṣaseṣvevaṃ liṃgaṃ tatraiva saṃsthitam | sthāne'tirucire śubhre devadevaḥ svayaṃ prabhuḥ || 52 ||
When the rākṣasas had thus departed, the liṅga remained established right there. In that exceedingly splendid and pure place, the Lord Himself—the God of gods—was present.
Narada (narrating within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahātmya framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that when adharma (symbolized by rākṣasas) withdraws, the sacred presence remains: the liṅga stands firmly in a purified, radiant tirtha where the Lord is directly manifest.
Bhakti is implied through steadfast sacred presence—devotees approach a pure, consecrated locus (liṅga and tirtha) where the Lord is said to be ‘svayam’ present, encouraging darśana, worship, and remembrance.
Ritual application is primary: the verse supports principles of tīrtha-mahātmya and liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (consecration and continued sanctity of a shrine), relevant to kalpa-style ritual practice rather than grammar or astrology.