Shloka 6
Kāśī-māhātmya: Avimukta Gaṅgā and the Pañcanada Tīrtha
वाराणस्या विशेषेण यत्र चोत्तरवाहिनी । वरणायास्तथास्याश्च जाह्नव्याः संगमे नरः ॥ ६ ॥
vārāṇasyā viśeṣeṇa yatra cottaravāhinī | varaṇāyāstathāsyāśca jāhnavyāḥ saṃgame naraḥ || 6 ||
Terutama di Vārāṇasī, di tempat Gaṅgā mengalir ke arah utara—pada pertemuan sungai Varaṇā dan Asī dengan Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā)—orang yang mandi di sana memperoleh kesucian yang istimewa.
Suta (narrating the tirtha-mahatmya section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It identifies the most sacred locus within Vārāṇasī: the confluence of Varaṇā and Asi with the north-flowing Gaṅgā, presented as a uniquely potent tirtha for accruing purity and merit.
By highlighting a specific tirtha in Kāśī, the verse supports devotional practice through pilgrimage and sacred bathing—acts traditionally performed with remembrance and reverence for the divine presence associated with Gaṅgā and holy kṣetras.
Kalpa-oriented ritual practice is implied: choosing a prescribed tirtha (saṅgama) and the auspicious feature of an uttaravāhinī Gaṅgā for snāna and related rites.