Shloka 39

The Account of the Fruits of Bathing at Particular Sacred Places

Tīrtha-viśeṣa-snāna-phala

Devanagari script

हरेर्दक्षिणपादाब्जक्षालनादमरापगा । वामपादोद्भवा वापि सरयूर्मानसप्रसूः ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

harerdakṣiṇapādābjakṣālanādamarāpagā | vāmapādodbhavā vāpi sarayūrmānasaprasūḥ || 39 ||

Translation

ハリ（Hari）の蓮華のごとき右足を洗い清めたことから天上の河ガンガーが生じ、また左足からはサラユーが生じた。サラユーは「心より生まれた」すなわち神の御意志によって顕現したのである。

Word by Word

हरेःof Hari (Viṣṇu)

दक्षिणपादाब्जक्षालनात्from the washing of the lotus-foot (right foot)

अमरापगाthe river of the gods (Gaṅgā)

वामपादोद्भवाarisen from the left foot

वाor

अपिalso

सरयूःSarayū (river)

मानसप्रसूःmind-born

Speaker

Suta

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

Hari (Vishnu)

Ganga (Amarapagā)

Sarayu

FAQs

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

It grounds tīrtha-mahātmyas in Viṣṇu: sacred rivers are not merely geographic, but manifestations connected to Hari, making bathing and remembrance acts of devotion that generate puṇya.

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

By identifying Gaṅgā and Sarayū as arising from Hari, the verse turns reverence for tīrthas into Viṣṇu-bhakti—honoring the river becomes honoring the Lord who is its source.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; it primarily supports tīrtha-related practice (snāna, tīrtha-sevā) within dharma and pilgrimage traditions.