Shloka 9
Description of the Pilgrimage to the Sacred Tīrthas
Kurukṣetra-yātrā-krama
वर्षकालवहाश्चैता वर्जयित्वा सरस्वतीम् । एतासामुदकं पुण्यं स्पर्शे पाने समाप्नुतौ ॥ ९ ॥
varṣakālavahāścaitā varjayitvā sarasvatīm | etāsāmudakaṃ puṇyaṃ sparśe pāne samāpnutau || 9 ||
ഈ നദികൾ എല്ലാം മഴക്കാലത്ത് ഒഴുകുന്നു; സരസ്വതിയെ ഒഴിവാക്കി, ഇവയുടെ ജലം പുണ്യപ്രദമാണ്—സ്പർശിച്ചാലും കുടിച്ചാലും ഫലം ലഭിക്കുന്നു.
Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic discourse; teaching framed within tīrtha-mahātmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that sacred merit (puṇya) can be gained through simple contact with tīrtha-water—both by touching (sparśa) and by drinking (pāna)—highlighting the power of holy waters in Uttara-Bhāga tīrtha-mahātmya.
While not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports devotional living by prescribing reverent engagement with sacred tīrthas—acts like respectful touching and sipping holy water become embodied forms of faith and purification aligned with Purāṇic devotion.
Ritual practice is implied: the verse points to tīrtha-related conduct such as purification by water-contact and drinking (akin to ācamana), a practical dharma-ritual takeaway rather than a technical lesson in vyākaraṇa or jyotiṣa.