Shloka 49

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

कपिलाख्यमहातीर्थे आरुरोह महागिरिम् / तत्रस्थं श्रीनिवासं च दृष्ट्वा नत्वा महासती

Transliteration

kapilākhyamahātīrthe āruroha mahāgirim / tatrasthaṃ śrīnivāsaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā natvā mahāsatī

Translation

Di mahātīrtha bernama Kapila, sang wanita suci menaiki gunung yang agung. Di sana ia melihat Śrīnivāsa bersemayam, lalu bersujud hormat.

Word by Word

• kapila-ākhya-mahā-tīrthe: at the great tīrtha called Kapila
• kapila-ākhya-mahā-tīrthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapila + ākhya + mahā + tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कपिलाख्यं महत्तीर्थं यस्मिन्)

• āruroha: climbed
• āruroha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ruh (रुह् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahā-girim: the great mountain
• mahā-girim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + giri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महान् गिरिः)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक-अव्यय) अर्थः—there

• stham: being situated
• stham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (स्था धातु)
• Form: Present active participle used adjectivally (शतृ-प्रत्यय, वर्तमानकृदन्त), Neuter Accusative Singular; विशेषणम् (श्रीनिवासम्)

• śrī-nivāsam: Śrīnivāsa (Viṣṇu)
• śrī-nivāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + nivāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (श्रियाः निवासः)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययकृदन्त) अर्थः—having seen

• natvā: having bowed
• natvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nam (नम् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययकृदन्त) अर्थः—having bowed

• mahā-satī: the great virtuous woman
• mahā-satī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + satī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महती सती)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: tīrtha-yātrā and darśana as catalysts for inner purification and surrender (namaskāra)

Vedantic Theme: saguṇa-brahma upāsanā leading the mind toward śānti and one-pointedness

Application: undertake sacred visits with humility; practice namaskāra and attentive seeing (darśana) as contemplative discipline

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha and sacred mountain

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19.48 (vow and journey); Garuda Purana 3.19.50 (fasting and sin-destroying bath)

Characters & Entities

• Kapila Tirtha
• Mahagiri (great mountain)
• Shrinivasa (Vishnu)
• Mahasati (a virtuous woman)

FAQs

What is the importance of Kapila Tirtha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Kapila as a “mahā-tīrtha,” a highly meritorious sacred site where a devotee’s ascent and worship culminate in the darśana of Śrīnivāsa, highlighting tīrtha-yātrā as a devotional path.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

While not describing afterlife mechanics directly, it models the soul’s ideal orientation—seeking holy places, approaching the divine presence, and offering reverence—acts understood in the Purāṇic frame to purify karma and support auspicious destiny.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Undertake pilgrimage or intentional sacred practice with humility: seek uplifting environments, contemplate Viṣṇu’s presence, and cultivate reverence (namaskāra), reinforcing ethical living and devotion.