Shloka 16
Puruṣottama-māhātmya
The Greatness of Puruṣottama Kṣetra
ऐरावतो गजेंन्द्राणां महर्षीणां भृगुर्यथा । मेरुः शिखरिणां यद्वन्नगानां च हिमालयः ॥ १६ ॥
airāvato gajeṃndrāṇāṃ maharṣīṇāṃ bhṛguryathā | meruḥ śikhariṇāṃ yadvannagānāṃ ca himālayaḥ || 16 ||
ഗജേന്ദ്രന്മാരിൽ ഐരാവതൻ ശ്രേഷ്ഠൻ, മഹർഷിമാരിൽ ഭൃഗു ശ്രേഷ്ഠൻ; ശിഖരികളിൽ മേരുവെന്നപോലെ, പർവ്വതങ്ങളിൽ ഹിമാലയം സರ್ವോന്നതം।
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya narration style)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"A steady crescendo of awe through a catalogue of ‘foremosts’—from celestial elephant and primeval seer to cosmic mountains—ending in a settled sense of ordered grandeur."}
FAQs
It teaches a Purāṇic method of recognizing spiritual hierarchy—identifying the ‘foremost’ (śreṣṭha) among revered beings and places—so a seeker can orient faith and practice toward what is considered supremely sacred.
By highlighting exemplars of supremacy, it supports bhakti by encouraging single-pointed reverence—just as devotees choose the highest refuge, pilgrims and worshippers focus on the most sanctifying sources of merit within the tirtha-mahātmya framework.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is directly taught; the practical takeaway is Purāṇic ‘anukrama’ style classification—using comparative lists to remember and transmit sacred cosmology and pilgrimage priorities.