Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
नारद उवाच । क्षेत्राणामुत्तमं क्षेत्रं तीर्थानां च तथोत्तमम् । परया दयया तथवं ब्रूहिं शास्त्रार्थपारग ॥ २ ॥
nārada uvāca | kṣetrāṇāmuttamaṃ kṣetraṃ tīrthānāṃ ca tathottamam | parayā dayayā tathavaṃ brūhiṃ śāstrārthapāraga || 2 ||
ਨਾਰਦ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਹੇ ਸ਼ਾਸਤ੍ਰਾਰਥ ਦੇ ਪਾਰਗਾਮੀ! ਪਰਮ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੱਸੋ—ਖੇਤਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਤਮ ਖੇਤਰ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਤੀਰਥਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਤਮ ਤੀਰਥ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਹੈ? ॥੨॥
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames a classic Purāṇic inquiry: identifying the highest kṣetra and tīrtha is a way to locate where dharma, purification, and devotion yield the greatest spiritual fruit.
Though it is a question rather than a doctrine, Nārada’s humility and request for compassionate instruction reflects the bhakti ethos—approaching a realized authority to learn what most effectively supports remembrance and worship.
The verse emphasizes śāstrārtha (scriptural purport) and the authority of a śāstra-knower; it implicitly points to disciplined interpretation (linked with Vyākaraṇa and Nirukta) when assessing tīrtha/kshetra claims and ritual merit.