Shloka 25
Kāśī-māhātmya: Avimukta Gaṅgā and the Pañcanada Tīrtha
कल्पक्षयेऽपि न भवेत्तस्य पुण्यस्य संक्षयः । वंध्यापि वर्षपर्यंतं स्नात्वा पञ्चनदे ह्रदे ॥ २५ ॥
kalpakṣaye'pi na bhavettasya puṇyasya saṃkṣayaḥ | vaṃdhyāpi varṣaparyaṃtaṃ snātvā pañcanade hrade || 25 ||
Walaupun pada saat pralaya, lenyapnya satu kalpa, pahala itu tidak berkurang. Bahkan wanita mandul sekalipun, dengan mandi di tasik Pañcanada selama setahun penuh, memperoleh pahala yang berkekalan.
Suta (narrating the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue; Tirtha-Mahatmya section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It declares the akṣaya (non-diminishing) nature of merit earned through the prescribed sacred bath at Pañcanada-hrada—so potent that it is said to remain undiminished even until the end of a kalpa.
While the verse speaks in the language of tirtha-mahātmya and puṇya, it supports bhakti-oriented dharma by emphasizing faith-filled, disciplined practice at a sacred place—an outward act that nurtures inner reverence for the divine order upheld by the Purana.
Ritual practice (kalpa/ācāra in the broader sense) is implied: the discipline of tīrtha-snānā and time-bound observance (varṣa-paryanta) reflects codified dharmic procedure rather than grammar or astrology.