Shloka 6
नर्मदानर्मदाशब्दो येन केनचिदुच्यते । तस्य स्याच्छाश्वती मुक्तिर्यावदाचंद्र तारकम्
narmadānarmadāśabdo yena kenaciducyate | tasya syācchāśvatī muktiryāvadācaṃdra tārakam
ആരായാലും എങ്ങനെയായാലും ‘നർമദാ’ എന്ന ശബ്ദം ഉച്ചരിച്ചാൽ, ചന്ദ്രനും നക്ഷത്രങ്ങളും നിലനിൽക്കുന്നത്രയും കാലം ശാശ്വത മോക്ഷം ലഭിക്കും।
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svarga-khaṇḍa 3.22)
Concept: Nāma-ucchāraṇa (uttering the sacred name) itself becomes a liberating act when the object is a supremely holy reality (tīrtha), revealing the power of śabda as a carrier of grace.
Application: Keep sacred names on the tongue—remembering holy rivers, deities, and dharma-terms; cultivate mindful speech (vāṅ-niyama) so that casual utterance becomes intentional remembrance.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim pauses on a high basalt cliff above the broad, emerald Narmadā, hands folded as the single word “Revā” rises like a luminous syllable from the lips. The river below glows with subtle Viṣṇu-tejas, and tiny star-like sparks drift upward, suggesting liberation enduring ‘as long as moon and stars’.","primary_figures":["Narmadā-devī (river goddess)","a humble pilgrim/householder","subtle Viṣṇu presence as radiance or śālagrāma-like aura"],"setting":"Narmadā riverbank with rocky ghāṭa, flowing current, distant temple spire and banyan trees","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with moonlit undertone","color_palette":["sapphire blue","emerald green","moon-silver","basalt gray","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Narmadā-devī rising from stylized waves holding a lotus and kalaśa, a devotee uttering ‘Narmadā’ with a golden syllable halo, ornate riverbank shrine, heavy gold leaf embellishment on jewelry and water highlights, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography framing the river as a goddess-tīrtha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical Narmadā valley with layered hills, delicate brushwork showing rippling water, a small devotee on a rocky ledge with folded hands, moon and scattered stars above, cool palette with soft silver wash, refined faces, subtle divine aura hovering over the river.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines of Narmadā-devī seated on a makara-like river motif, large expressive eyes, flat yet vibrant natural pigments, temple-lamp motifs along the ghāṭa, red/yellow/green dominance with blue river band, sacred syllable rendered as a glowing emblem near the devotee’s mouth.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river rendered as a flowing floral band with lotus motifs, central medallion of Narmadā-devī, border of tulasi and lotus vines, peacocks near the ghāṭa, deep indigo background with gold highlights, devotional text-cartouche featuring ‘Revā’ as auspicious calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","conch shell (distant)","night insects","brief silence after ‘Narmadā’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kenaciducyate = kenacit + ucyate; syācchāśvatī = syāt + śāśvatī (त् + श् → च्छ्); muktiryāvat = muktiḥ + yāvat (विसर्ग-लोप); yāvadācaṃdra = yāvat + ā-candra (त् + आ → दा लेखनभेद/सन्धि); ācaṃdra tārakam = ā-candra-tārakam (अव्ययीभाव)
FAQs
It emphasizes nāma-smaraṇa—remembering or uttering a sacred name—specifically the name of the tīrtha Narmadā.
It is an idiom for an extremely long, world-enduring duration, stressing the extraordinary and lasting merit attributed to the sacred name.
It teaches that simple, sincere acts—like speaking a sacred name—can carry profound spiritual value, encouraging humility and accessible devotion.