Shloka 10

Devanagari script

न चापि नैमिषं क्षेत्रं कुरुक्षेत्रं प्रभासकम् / कालिन्दी यमुना गङ्गा न चैव न सरस्वती

Transliteration

na cāpi naimiṣaṃ kṣetraṃ kurukṣetraṃ prabhāsakam / kālindī yamunā gaṅgā na caiva na sarasvatī

Translation

ഇത് നൈമിഷക്ഷേത്രമല്ല, കുരുക്ഷേത്രമല്ല, പ്രഭാസമല്ല; കാലിന്ദീ യമുനയുമല്ല, ഗംഗയുമല്ല—സരസ്വതിയും അല്ല (ഇവിടെ)।

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction: and)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Emphasis/Addition (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; अपि (also/even)

• नैमिषम्: Naimiṣa (of Naimiṣa)
• नैमिषम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नैमिष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (qualifying क्षेत्रम्)

• क्षेत्रम्: holy place/field
• क्षेत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (holy field/place)

• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Kurukṣetra
• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरु-क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक; कुरु + क्षेत्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (Kurukṣetra)

• प्रभासकम्: Prabhāsa (holy place)
• प्रभासकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभासक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (Prabhāsa/Prabhāsaka)

• कालिन्दी: Kālindī
• कालिन्दी: Karta (Subject/Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कालिन्दी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (river name)

• यमुना: Yamunā
• यमुना: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यमुना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• गङ्गा: Gaṅgā
• गङ्गा: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī
• सरस्वती: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tīrtha-mahattva is acknowledged yet relativized; certain dharma-kāla observances (Ekādaśī/Dvādaśī context) can equal or surpass place-based merit.

Vedantic Theme: Shift from external supports (deśa) to inner discipline and time-sanctified practice (kāla); purification is not monopolized by geography.

Application: Do not postpone spiritual discipline for travel; observe vrata and ethical restraints wherever you are, treating time-based sacred observances as accessible tīrtha.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: tīrtha-mahātmyas and vrata-mahātmyas juxtaposed in dharma portions; Garuda Purana: Ekādaśī praise passages that compare it to all tīrthas (nearby verses)

Characters & Entities

• Naimisha
• Kurukshetra
• Prabhasa
• Kalindi (Yamuna)
• Ganga
• Sarasvati

FAQs

What is the importance of sacred places (tīrthas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists renowned tīrthas and holy rivers, indicating a discussion that distinguishes ordinary locations from truly sanctifying sacred geographies in ritual and after-death contexts.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By negating famous tīrthas and rivers “here,” the verse implies the narrative is describing a realm or condition where earthly sacred geography does not apply, reinforcing that the soul’s post-death journey is governed by its karma and prescribed rites, not by physical proximity to earthly rivers.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not rely only on “being in a holy place”; prioritize dharma, sincere ritual observance for ancestors (when appropriate), and ethical living—since merit is tied to conduct and correct practice, not mere location.