Shloka 42

The Greatness of Gayā

Gayā-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

सकृद्गयाभिगमनं सकृत्पिंडप्रपातनम् । दुर्लभं किं पुनर्नित्यमस्मिन्नेव व्यवस्थितिः ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

sakṛdgayābhigamanaṃ sakṛtpiṃḍaprapātanam | durlabhaṃ kiṃ punarnityamasminneva vyavasthitiḥ || 42 ||

Translation

ଏକଥର ଗୟାଗମନ ଓ ଏକଥର ପିଣ୍ଡପ୍ରଦାନ ମଧ୍ୟ ଦୁର୍ଲଭ; ତେବେ ଏଠାରେ ନିତ୍ୟ ଭାବେ ପୁନଃପୁନଃ ସ୍ଥିର ରହିବା କେତେ ଅଧିକ ଦୁର୍ଲଭ!

Word by Word

• sakṛt: once
• sakṛt: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sakṛt (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (संख्यावाचक/कालवाचक अव्यय)

• gayā-abhigamanam: going to Gayā
• gayā-abhigamanam: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gayā (प्रातिपदिक) + abhigamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (gayāyāḥ abhigamanam)

• sakṛt: once
• sakṛt: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sakṛt (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक अव्यय)

• piṇḍa-prapātanam: casting down/offering the piṇḍa
• piṇḍa-prapātanam: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + prapātana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (piṇḍasya prapātanam)

• durlabham: rare/difficult to obtain
• durlabham: Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (प्रधानविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective

• kim: what (then)
• kim: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; interrogative used idiomatically

• punar: again/then
• punar: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/particle (पुनर्-निपात)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (नित्यं) functioning as avyaya

• asmin: in this (place/thing)
• asmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), restriction/emphasis

• vyavasthitiḥ: remaining/abiding
• vyavasthitiḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyavasthiti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Gaya

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It emphasizes the rarity and merit of reaching Gayā and performing even one piṇḍa-offering for ancestors, and highlights that sustained, repeated devotion to such dharma is even more difficult and therefore more praiseworthy.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Though centered on śrāddha, it points to steadiness (nitya-vyavasthiti) as the real spiritual challenge—echoing bhakti’s core principle of consistent practice rather than occasional acts alone.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) through śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna, stressing correct performance and the importance of regular observance in prescribed rites.