Shloka 6

The Determination of the Extent of the Sacred Field and Related Matters

Kurukṣetra Māhātmya

Devanagari script

सरस्वतीदृषद्वत्योर्देवनद्योर्यदंतरम् । तं देवसेवितं देशं ब्रह्मावर्तं प्रचक्षते ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

sarasvatīdṛṣadvatyordevanadyoryadaṃtaram | taṃ devasevitaṃ deśaṃ brahmāvartaṃ pracakṣate || 6 ||

Translation

ଦେବନଦୀ ସରସ୍ୱତୀ ଓ ଦୃଷଦ୍ୱତୀ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ଅଞ୍ଚଳକୁ, ଦେବମାନେ ସେବିତ କରୁଥିବା ଦେଶ ଭାବେ ‘ବ୍ରହ୍ମାବର୍ତ୍ତ’ କୁହାଯାଏ।

Word by Word

• सरस्वती: of Sarasvatī (river)
• सरस्वती: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• दृषद्वत्योः: of Dṛṣadvatī (river)
• दृषद्वत्योः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दृषद्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन (Dual)

• देवनद्योः: of the two divine rivers
• देवनद्योः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव-नदी (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन (Dual)

• यत्: which
• यत्: Karma (कर्म; with 'अन्तरम्')
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; सम्बन्धक (relative)

• अन्तरम्: the space/region between
• अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन

• तम्: that
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• देवसेवितम्: served by the gods
• देवसेवितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव-सेवित (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective) देशम्-विशेषण

• देशम्: region
• देशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मावर्तम्: Brahmāvarta
• ब्रह्मावर्तम्: Karma (कर्म; apposition to देशम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म-आवर्त (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• प्रचक्षते: they call/declare
• प्रचक्षते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"Wonder at sacred geography resolves into calm certainty through naming and defining Brahmāvarta as god-frequented land."}

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati
• Drishadvati
• Devas
• Brahmavarta

FAQs

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

It identifies Brahmāvarta as a uniquely sanctified kṣetra—defined by sacred rivers and characterized as “devasevita,” implying heightened purity and dharmic potency for worship, vows, and rites performed there.

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

By praising a “god-frequented” holy land, the verse supports the Purāṇic bhakti framework: choosing a sacred setting (kṣetra) strengthens devotion, supports disciplined worship, and deepens remembrance of the divine through tīrtha association.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily Nirukta/Itihāsa-Purāṇa style kṣetra-nirukti (traditional definition of place-names and boundaries). It also implies Kalpa-application: selecting an auspicious location for rites and vratas based on śāstric geography.