Shloka 36
Tīrtha-Māhātmya of the Sarasvatī Region and the Praise of Kurukṣetra
Pilgrimage Merits
उत्तमे सर्वतीर्थानां यस्त्यजेदात्मनस्तनुम् । पृथूदके जप्यपरो नैव संसरणं लभेत्
uttame sarvatīrthānāṃ yastyajedātmanastanum | pṛthūdake japyaparo naiva saṃsaraṇaṃ labhet
സർവ്വതീർത്ഥങ്ങളിലും ഉത്തമമായ ഈ പൃഥൂദകത്തിൽ ജപപരനായിട്ട് ദേഹത്യാഗം ചെയ്യുന്നവന് വീണ്ടും സംസാരഭ്രമണം (പുനർജന്മം) ലഭിക്കുകയില്ല।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यस्त्यजेत् = यः + त्यजेत्; त्यजेदात्मनः = त्यजेत् + आत्मनः; नैव = न + एव
FAQs
Pṛthūdaka is presented as a specific tīrtha (sacred ford/pilgrimage site) praised here as “supreme among all tīrthas,” where japa and sacred passing are said to lead to liberation.
It states that one who is devoted to japa at Pṛthūdaka and relinquishes the body there “does not obtain transmigration,” implying release from the cycle of rebirth through spiritually focused practice at a highly sanctified place.
It encourages sincere spiritual discipline (japa) and reverence for sacred places, emphasizing inner devotion and disciplined practice rather than mere travel or ritual as the basis for liberation.