Shloka 12
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
धर्मराजेनाद्रिरुक्तो न गच्छेति नगः स्मृतः । यमराजधर्मराजौ निश्चलायेह संस्थितौ ॥ १२ ॥
dharmarājenādrirukto na gaccheti nagaḥ smṛtaḥ | yamarājadharmarājau niścalāyeha saṃsthitau || 12 ||
ಧರ್ಮರಾಜನು ಪರ್ವತಕ್ಕೆ ‘ಚಲಿಸಬೇಡ’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ ಕಾರಣ ಅದು ‘ನಗ’ (ಅಚಲ) ಎಂದು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಯಮರಾಜ ಮತ್ತು ಧರ್ಮರಾಜರು ನಿಶ್ಚಲವಾಗಿ ಸ್ಥಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
Narada (narrating within a Tirtha-Mahatmya/etymological explanation section of Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It links sacred geography with Dharma: the ‘immovable’ mountain symbolizes unwavering moral order, and Yama/Dharma-rāja’s fixed presence signifies steadiness in cosmic justice.
By highlighting steadfastness (niścalatā), it implies that devotion and dharmic living require firm, unmoved commitment—like a mountain—within a sacred kṣetra.
Nirukta-style etymology is implied: a name (‘naga’) is explained through a word-play/derivation (“na gaccha” → ‘does not move’), reflecting the traditional Vedic method of interpreting terms.