Shloka 22
Narmadā Māhātmya with the Praise of Amarakantaka Tīrthas
सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च सर्वभूतहिते रतः । एवं सर्वसमाचारः क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत्
sarvahiṃsānivṛttaśca sarvabhūtahite rataḥ | evaṃ sarvasamācāraḥ kṣetrapālānparivrajet
Having withdrawn from all forms of violence, and devoted to the welfare of all beings—thus endowed with every proper conduct—one should go about, visiting the kṣetrapālas, the protectors of the sacred site.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: mountain
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च → सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तः + च; क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत् → क्षेत्रपालान् + परिव्रजेत्.
FAQs
Kṣetrapālas are guardians of a sacred area (temple precincts, tīrthas, or holy regions). The verse frames approaching them as part of disciplined, ethical pilgrimage conduct.
It emphasizes ahiṃsā (complete non-violence) and active concern for the welfare of all beings, presenting moral purity as the foundation for religious travel and worship.
It instructs a person of proper conduct—marked by non-violence and universal benevolence—to go about visiting the kṣetrapālas, i.e., to respectfully approach the guardians associated with sacred sites.