Narmadā–Tīrtha-Māhātmya: Sequence of Sacred Fords and Their Fruits
ततो गच्छेत राजेन्द्र तीर्थं कार्णाटिकेश्वरम् / गङ्गावतरते तत्र दिने पुण्ये न संशयः
tato gaccheta rājendra tīrthaṃ kārṇāṭikeśvaram / gaṅgāvatarate tatra dine puṇye na saṃśayaḥ
Kemudian, wahai raja yang utama, hendaklah pergi ke tirtha suci bernama Kārṇāṭikeśvara. Pada hari yang mujarab, Gangga turun di sana—tiada keraguan tentangnya.
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing King Indradyumna (tīrtha-yātrā discourse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Indirectly: it frames sacred geography as a visible support for dharma—outer tīrtha prompts inner purification, preparing the seeker for knowledge of the Self taught elsewhere in the Purāṇa.
The verse emphasizes tīrtha-yātrā as a purificatory discipline (a dhārmic sādhana). In the Kurma Purana’s wider framework, such purification supports later yogic practices—restraint, devotion, and contemplation—central to Pāśupata-leaning spirituality.
By honoring a site named “-Īśvara” within a discourse spoken by Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu), it reflects the Purāṇa’s integrative stance: Vaiṣṇava authority endorses Śaiva tīrthas, reinforcing a non-sectarian dharma.