Shloka 24
पुण्यतीर्थ सुसलिलं कुरुक्षेत्रं प्रकीर्तितम् । सिंधूत्तमं तपोदानं जम्बूमार्गमथापि च
puṇyatīrtha susalilaṁ kurukṣetraṁ prakīrtitam | sindhūttamaṁ tapodānaṁ jambūmārgam athāpi ca ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Kurukṣetra termasyhur sebagai tīrtha yang amat besar pahalanya, kaya dengan air yang suci. Bersamanya dipuji pula Sindhu yang unggul, jalan-jalan suci bagi tapa (tapas) dan sedekah (dāna), serta Jambūmārga.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates sacred places and dharmic disciplines as means of purification and protection: remembering Kurukṣetra as a puṇyatīrtha and honoring tapas (self-discipline) and dāna (generosity) reinforces a life oriented toward merit and righteousness.
Bhīṣma is reciting a praise/invocation that enumerates holy places and dharmic supports. This line introduces Kurukṣetra and related sacred referents as part of a broader litany meant to sanctify, invoke auspiciousness, and secure protection through remembrance.