Shloka 12

Prayaga-mahatmya

Glory of Prayaga and the Magha Bath at Triveni

Devanagari script

कृते युगे स्वरूपेण कलौ प्रच्छन्नरूपिणः । सर्वतीर्थानि कृष्णानि पापिनां संगदोषतः ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

kṛte yuge svarūpeṇa kalau pracchannarūpiṇaḥ | sarvatīrthāni kṛṣṇāni pāpināṃ saṃgadoṣataḥ || 12 ||

Translation

Dans le Kṛta Yuga, les lieux saints se manifestent selon leur vraie nature; mais dans le Kali Yuga, leur forme se voile. Tous les tīrtha s’assombrissent à cause de la faute née de la fréquentation des pécheurs.

Word by Word

• कृते: in the Kṛta (yuga)
• कृते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular); ‘कृतयुग’ अर्थे (in the Kṛta age)

• युगे: in the age
• युगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वरूपेण: by (their) own form
• स्वरूपेण: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular); तृतीया-करण (means): ‘by/with one’s own form’

• कलौ: in Kali (yuga)
• कलौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रच्छन्न-रूपिणः: having concealed forms
• प्रच्छन्न-रूपिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रच्छन्न + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय: प्रच्छन्नं रूपं येषाम्/प्रच्छन्नरूपाः (hidden-formed)

• सर्व-तीर्थानि: all sacred fords/holy places
• सर्व-तीर्थानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय: सर्वाणि तीर्थानि

• कृष्णानि: dark/tainted
• कृष्णानि: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषणं ‘सर्वतीर्थानि’ प्रति

• पापिनाम्: of sinners
• पापिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पापिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सङ्ग-दोषतः: due to the fault of association
• सङ्ग-दोषतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सङ्ग + दोष (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘because of/from’; सङ्गदोषात् इत्यर्थः

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-discourse, traditionally within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue stream)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"karuna","emotional_journey":"A sober, reflective contrast between yugas: clarity in Kṛta gives way to concealment in Kali, ending in a cautionary sadness about moral contagion."}

FAQs

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

It warns that the sanctity of tīrthas is not merely geographic; in Kali Yuga, holiness can be obscured when places are frequented with impure conduct—so inner purity and right company become essential to receive tīrtha-phala.

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

It indirectly stresses bhakti through satsanga: devotion thrives in pure association and disciplined conduct; avoiding pāpa-saṅga protects faith, remembrance, and the ability to experience sacredness even at holy places.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The practical takeaway aligns with Dharma-śāstra and ritual purity (śauca): one should observe tīrtha etiquette—clean conduct, restraint, and discerning association—so that pilgrimage and rites are not reduced to mere outer travel.