Shloka 52

Tīrtha-yātrā-varṇana

Description of Pilgrimage to the Sacred Fords

Devanagari script

गतेषु राक्षसेष्वेवं लिंगं तत्रैव संस्थितम् । स्थानेऽतिरुचिरे शुभ्रे देवदेवः स्वयं प्रभुः ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

gateṣu rākṣaseṣvevaṃ liṃgaṃ tatraiva saṃsthitam | sthāne'tirucire śubhre devadevaḥ svayaṃ prabhuḥ || 52 ||

Translation

ഇങ്ങനെ രാക്ഷസർ പോയശേഷം ലിംഗം അവിടെയേ സ്ഥാപിതമായി നിലനിന്നു. അത്യന്തം മനോഹരവും ശുദ്ധവുമായ ആ സ്ഥാനത്ത് ദേവദേവൻ സ്വയം പ്രഭുവായി വിരാജിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• गतेषु: when (they) had gone
• गतेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त ‘गत’, पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन; ‘गतेषु (राक्षसेषु)’ = when they had gone

• राक्षसेषु: among the demons / after the demons (had gone)
• राक्षसेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• लिङ्गम्: the liṅga
• लिङ्गम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपातार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• संस्थितम्: stood/was established
• संस्थितम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-√स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त ‘संस्थित’, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तरि/भावे—‘was established/standing’ (लिङ्गम्)

• स्थाने: in a place
• स्थाने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• अति-रुचिरे: very beautiful
• अति-रुचिरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + रुचिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (अतिशयेन रुचिरः), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (स्थाने)

• शुभ्रे: pure/bright
• शुभ्रे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (स्थाने)

• देव-देवः: God of gods
• देव-देवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानां देवः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय (reflexive adverb)

• प्रभुः: the Lord
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; देवदेवस्य विशेषणम्/अप्पोजिशन

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahātmya framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Liṅga
• Devadeva (Śiva)

FAQs

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

It teaches that when adharma (symbolized by rākṣasas) withdraws, the sacred presence remains: the liṅga stands firmly in a purified, radiant tirtha where the Lord is directly manifest.

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

Bhakti is implied through steadfast sacred presence—devotees approach a pure, consecrated locus (liṅga and tirtha) where the Lord is said to be ‘svayam’ present, encouraging darśana, worship, and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application is primary: the verse supports principles of tīrtha-mahātmya and liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (consecration and continued sanctity of a shrine), relevant to kalpa-style ritual practice rather than grammar or astrology.