Shloka 10

Gayā-yātrā-vidhi: Multi-day Śrāddha Route, Pitṛ-devatās, and Akṣaya Merit at Gayā

Devanagari script

नाम्ना कनखलं तीर्थं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् / उदीच्यां मुण्डपृष्ठस्य देवर्षिगणसेवितम्

Transliteration

nāmnā kanakhalaṃ tīrthaṃ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam / udīcyāṃ muṇḍapṛṣṭhasya devarṣigaṇasevitam

Translation

കനഖലം എന്ന തീർത്ഥം ത്രിലോകങ്ങളിലും പ്രസിദ്ധമാണ്. അത് മുണ്ഡപൃഷ്ഠത്തിന്റെ വടക്കായി സ്ഥിതിചെയ്യുന്നു; ദേവഗണങ്ങളും ദേവർഷിഗണങ്ങളും അവിടെ സേവനം ചെയ്യുന്നു.

Word by Word

• नाम्ना: by name
• नाम्ना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘नाम्ना’ = by name

• कनखलम्: Kanakhala
• कनखलम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनखल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तीर्थस्य नाम

• तीर्थम्: a sacred ford/pilgrimage place
• तीर्थम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘कनखलम्’ इत्यस्य अप्पोजिशन

• त्रिषु: in the three
• त्रिषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘लोकेषु’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• लोकेषु: worlds
• लोकेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• विश्रुतम्: renowned
• विश्रुतम्: Karta (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + श्रु (धातु)
• Form: कृत-प्रत्ययान्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘well-known’—‘तीर्थम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• उदीच्याम्: in the north
• उदीच्याम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदीची (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; दिक्-विशेषः (northern region)

• मुण्डपृष्ठस्य: of Muṇḍapṛṣṭha
• मुण्डपृष्ठस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डपृष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘मुण्डस्य पृष्ठम्’ (back of Muṇḍa / bald-head’s back)

• देवर्षिगणसेवितम्: served by hosts of divine sages
• देवर्षिगणसेवितम्: Karta (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देवर्षि + गण + सेवित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘सेव्’—‘served by the groups of divine seers’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tīrtha-sevā and pilgrimage to renowned sacred fords is a dharmic means of purification and merit, endorsed by divine exemplars.

Vedantic Theme: Satsaṅga and sacred space as supports for purification (citta-śuddhi) and dharmic orientation.

Application: Visit sacred places with humility and disciplined conduct; emulate devarṣis by combining worship with study, charity, and restraint.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha (sacred ford)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: tīrtha-māhātmya catalogues and śrāddha-at-tīrtha merits in the same adhyāya (1.84)

Characters & Entities

• Kanakhala
• Devarshis
• Devas
• Muṇḍapṛṣṭha

FAQs

What is the importance of Kanakhala in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Kanakhala as a highly revered tīrtha, famous across the three worlds and honored by devas and divine sages, marking it as an exceptionally meritorious pilgrimage site.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic emphasis that association with tīrthas and dharmic acts purifies one’s karmic burden, which in turn influences the soul’s post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat pilgrimage and sacred places as disciplines for purification—visit with ethical conduct, humility, and prayer, and pair pilgrimage with charity and self-restraint for lasting spiritual benefit.