Shloka 11

Puruṣottama-māhātmya

The Greatness of Puruṣottama Kṣetra

Devanagari script

आस्ते गुह्यं परं क्षेत्रं मुक्तिदं पापनाशनम् । सर्वत्र वालुकाकीर्णे पवित्रं धर्मकामदम् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

āste guhyaṃ paraṃ kṣetraṃ muktidaṃ pāpanāśanam | sarvatra vālukākīrṇe pavitraṃ dharmakāmadam || 11 ||

Translation

Là se trouve un kṣetra (tīrtha) secret et suprême, qui accorde la délivrance et détruit les péchés. Partout jonché de sable, il demeure pourtant pur, donnant le dharma et l’accomplissement des désirs.

Word by Word

• आस्ते: is situated/dwells
• आस्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• गुह्यम्: secret/mysterious
• गुह्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (क्षेत्रम्)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (क्षेत्रम्)

• क्षेत्रम्: sacred field/holy place
• क्षेत्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मुक्ति-दम्: granting liberation
• मुक्ति-दम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्ति + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (क्षेत्रम्); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मुक्तेः दम्/दातृ)

• पाप-नाशनम्: destroyer of sins
• पाप-नाशनम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप + नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (क्षेत्रम्); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पापस्य नाशनम्)

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: everywhere)

• वालुका-कीर्णे: in (a place) strewn with sand
• वालुका-कीर्णे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वालुका + कीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (implicit ‘स्थाने/क्षेत्रे’); तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषभाव (वालुकाभिः कीर्णम् / वालुकायाः कीर्णम्)

• पवित्रम्: pure/holy
• पवित्रम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (क्षेत्रम्)

• धर्म-काम-दम्: granting dharma and desired aims
• धर्म-काम-दम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + काम + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (क्षेत्रम्); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (धर्मं कामं च ददाति)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Tirtha-Mahatmya context, traditionally narrated within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Mystery and wonder at a ‘secret, supreme kṣetra’, culminating in assurance of liberation, sin-destruction, and the granting of dharma and desires."}

FAQs

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

It praises a “guhya” (esoteric) tīrtha/kshetra whose darśana and contact are said to destroy sins and culminate in mokṣa, presenting pilgrimage as a direct purifier and liberator in the Uttara-bhāga’s tirtha-mahātmyas.

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

By presenting a holy kshetra as “pavitra” and “muktidam,” the verse supports the bhakti-oriented Purāṇic idea that reverent approach to sacred places—through faith, remembrance, and worship—can elevate one from worldly aims (kāma) toward dharma and ultimately liberation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is tīrtha-yātrā discipline—recognizing a kshetra’s sanctity, approaching it with purity (śauca) and dharmic conduct—rather than a technical point of vyākaraṇa, jyotiṣa, or kalpa.