Shloka 45

Kurukṣetra and Sarasvatī Tīrthas: Pilgrimage Itinerary and the Sanctification of Rāma-hrada

Paraśurāma’s Lakes

Devanagari script

सूर्यतीर्थं समासाद्य स्नात्वा नियतमानसः । अर्चयित्वा पितॄन्देवानुपवासपरायणः

Transliteration

sūryatīrthaṃ samāsādya snātvā niyatamānasaḥ | arcayitvā pitṝndevānupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ

Translation

ಸೂರ್ಯತೀರ್ಥವನ್ನು ಸೇರಿ, ನಿಯತಮನಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನಮಾಡಿ, ಉಪವಾಸಪರಾಯಣನಾಗಿ ಪಿತೃಗಳನ್ನೂ ದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಅರ್ಚಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ।

Word by Word

• सूर्यतीर्थम्: the Sun’s sacred ford (Sūrya-tīrtha)
• सूर्यतीर्थम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सूर्यस्य तीर्थम्)

• समासाद्य: having reached
• समासाद्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial to main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√सद् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यबन्त/क्त्वान्त-समकक्ष (absolutive in -ya); पूर्वक्रिया (having approached/reached)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive); पूर्वक्रिया

• नियतमानसः: with restrained mind
• नियतमानसः: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (नियतं मानसं यस्य)

• अर्चयित्वा: having worshipped
• अर्चयित्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive); पूर्वक्रिया

• पितॄन्: the ancestors
• पितॄन्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• उपवासपरायणः: devoted to fasting
• उपवासपरायणः: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (उपवासे परायणः = devoted to fasting)

Speaker

Unspecified (narrative instruction within Svargakhaṇḍa; commonly transmitted in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue, but not explicit in this verse alone)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: pitṝndevānupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ = पितॄन् + देवान् + उपवासपरायणः (क्रम-सन्धि); सूर्यतीर्थम् = सूर्य + तीर्थम् (समास)

Characters & Entities

• Sūrya (Sun deity)
• Sūryatīrtha
• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Devas (gods)

FAQs

What does this verse teach about proper conduct at a tīrtha?

It emphasizes arriving at the sacred place, bathing, maintaining mental restraint, and completing worship—showing tīrtha-practice as both external rite and inner discipline.

Why are both pitṛs (ancestors) and devas (gods) worshipped here?

The verse presents a complete devotional-ritual orientation: honoring lineage obligations (pitṛs) alongside divine worship (devas), integrating social-dharma and spiritual practice.

What ethical or spiritual principle is highlighted by “niyatamānasaḥ” and “upavāsaparāyaṇaḥ”?

Self-restraint: purity is framed not only as bathing but as disciplined mind and voluntary austerity (fasting), indicating that merit depends on intention and control of the senses.