Shloka 17
Narmadā Pilgrimage Itinerary: Sequence of Tīrthas, Rites, and Fruits
क्रीडते नागलोकस्थोऽप्सरोभिः सह मोदते । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र नरकं तीर्थमुत्तमम्
krīḍate nāgalokastho'psarobhiḥ saha modate | tato gaccheta rājeṃdra narakaṃ tīrthamuttamam
Bersemayam di alam Nāga, dia bermain dan bersukacita bersama para Apsarā. Sesudah itu, wahai raja yang utama, hendaklah dia menuju Naraka, tīrtha yang paling mulia.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa’s tīrtha/punya-phala context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नागलोकस्थोऽप्सरोभिः = नागलोकस्थः + अप्सरोभिः.
FAQs
It presents a pilgrimage-style progression: after enjoying celestial/otherworldly realms (Nāga-loka with Apsarās), one is directed onward to a named tīrtha—Naraka—showing how the Svarga-khaṇḍa maps merit, realms, and pilgrimage sites into a single sacred itinerary.
Indirectly: even after pleasurable or exalted experiences, the instruction is to “go” to a tīrtha, implying that lasting spiritual benefit is sought through sacred practice and pilgrimage rather than mere enjoyment of higher realms.
Pleasure and privilege (even in extraordinary realms) are not the final goal; one should continue toward purifying, dharma-aligned acts such as visiting sacred places and pursuing spiritual uplift.