Shloka 19

Jāmbavatī’s Vaiṣṇava-Ācāra: Grace, Sense-Consecration, and Pilgrimage to Śrīnivāsa on Veṅkaṭādri

Devanagari script

पश्चात्कल्पं कारयामास देवी विष्णोरग्रे तीर्थयात्रार्थमेव / यावत्कालं तीर्थयात्रा मुकुन्द तावत्कालं तूर्ध्वरेता भवामि

Transliteration

paścātkalpaṃ kārayāmāsa devī viṣṇoragre tīrthayātrārthameva / yāvatkālaṃ tīrthayātrā mukunda tāvatkālaṃ tūrdhvaretā bhavāmi

Translation

പിന്നീട് ദേവി വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ സന്നിധിയിൽ തീർത്ഥയാത്രയ്ക്കായി മാത്രം ഒരു പുണ്യവ്രതം ഏർപ്പെടുത്തി. അവൾ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഹേ മുകുന്ദാ! ഈ തീർത്ഥയാത്ര എത്രകാലം നീളുമോ, അത്രകാലം ഞാൻ ഊർധ്വരേതസ്സായി, ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം പാലിക്കുന്നവളായി ഇരിക്കും।”

Word by Word

• paścāt: afterwards
• paścāt: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paścāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• kalpam: a rite/arrangement (kalpa)
• kalpam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kārayāmāsa: caused to be done / had performed
• kārayāmāsa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु) [णिच् causative]
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Causative (णिच्)

• devī: the Goddess
• devī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• agre: in front (of)
• agre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• tīrthayātrā-artham: for the purpose of pilgrimage
• tīrthayātrā-artham: Hetu/Prayojana (हेतु/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha-yātrā-artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Compound: tīrtha + yātrā (Tatpurusha) + artha (purpose)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• yāvat-kālam: for as long a time as
• yāvat-kālam: Kāla-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāvat-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Avyayībhāva sense: 'as long as (time)'

• tīrthayātrā: pilgrimage
• tīrthayātrā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha-yātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); Compound: tīrtha + yātrā

• mukunda: O Mukunda
• mukunda: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukunda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• tāvat-kālam: for that long
• tāvat-kālam: Kāla-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāvat-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Avyayībhāva sense: 'for that long (time)'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (निपात), contrast

• ūrdhva-retāḥ: celibate / practicing continence
• ūrdhva-retāḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ūrdhva-retas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); Bahuvrīhi: ūrdhva + retas = 'one whose semen is upward' (celibate)

• bhavāmi: I become / I shall be
• bhavāmi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Narrator within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue (Vishnu describing the episode)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vrata-niyama during pilgrimage: brahmacarya/continence as tapas offered to Mukunda, strengthening devotion and purity.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and tapas as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; disciplined vows support steadiness in bhakti and readiness for higher knowledge.

Application: When undertaking spiritual commitments, set clear boundaries (sexual restraint, simplicity, truthfulness) for a defined period; keep the vow accountable to a sacred intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: shrine/temple and pilgrimage circuit

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata and tīrtha-related observances; emphasis on niyama and purity as supports for auspicious outcomes

Characters & Entities

• Devi
• Vishnu
• Mukunda

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames pilgrimage as a dharmic observance supported by a formal vow (kalpa/vrata), implying that inner discipline and purity are integral to gaining the intended spiritual merit of visiting tīrthas.

What does ūrdhva-retā mean in this verse?

Here ūrdhva-retā indicates continence and the upward restraint of vital energy during the pilgrimage-vow, emphasizing self-control as part of sacred practice rather than mere physical travel.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat pilgrimages and religious visits as disciplined vows: keep ethical conduct, moderation, and mental purity during the journey, so the outer ritual aligns with inner transformation.