Shloka 8

Puruṣottama-kṣetra Māhātmya: Śveta-Mādhava & Matsya-Mādhava; Mārkaṇḍeya-tīrtha Mārjana and Bath Liturgy

Devanagari script

शंखगोक्षीरसंकाशामशेषाघविनाशिनीम् । तां प्रणम्य सकृद्भक्त्या पुंडरीकनिभेक्षणाम् ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

śaṃkhagokṣīrasaṃkāśāmaśeṣāghavināśinīm | tāṃ praṇamya sakṛdbhaktyā puṃḍarīkanibhekṣaṇām || 8 ||

Translation

ಶಂಖ ಹಾಗೂ ಗೋಕ್ಷೀರದಂತೆ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಿಸುವ, ಸಮಸ್ತ ಪಾಪಗಳನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡುವ, ಪುಂಡರೀಕಸಮಾನ ನೇತ್ರಗಳಿರುವ ದೇವಿಗೆ ಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸಿದರೂ ಜೀವನು ಇಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಶುದ್ಧನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ।

Word by Word

शंख-गो-क्षीर-संकाशाम्white like conch and cow’s milk

अशेष-अघ-विनाशिनीम्destroying all sins

ताम्that (her/that image)

प्रणम्यhaving bowed

सकृत्once

भक्त्याwith devotion

पुण्डरीक-निभ-ईक्षणाम्lotus-eyed

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Tirtha-Mahatmya section; traditional dialogue frame with Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"From luminous purity (conch/milk whiteness) to moral-spiritual relief: sin-destruction through a single heartfelt bow."}

Characters & Entities

Devi (Goddess)

Lakshmi (implied by lotus-eyed epithet)

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere devotion expressed even once through reverent prostration to the radiant, lotus-eyed Goddess has purificatory power and is described as capable of destroying sin (agha).

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

Bhakti is presented as accessible and effective: not elaborate austerities, but heartfelt surrender—‘sakṛd bhaktyā’ (even once, with devotion)—is emphasized as spiritually transformative.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga technique is taught in this verse; it primarily functions as stuti within a Mahatmya, highlighting the practical discipline of devotional act (praṇāma) as a purifying rite.