Shloka 13
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
वाराणसी तु भुवनत्रयसारभूता रम्या नृणां सुगतिदा किल सेव्यमाना । अत्रागता विविधदुष्कृतकारिणोऽपि पापक्षये विरजसः सुमनः प्रकाशाः ॥ १३ ॥
vārāṇasī tu bhuvanatrayasārabhūtā ramyā nṛṇāṃ sugatidā kila sevyamānā | atrāgatā vividhaduṣkṛtakāriṇo'pi pāpakṣaye virajasaḥ sumanaḥ prakāśāḥ || 13 ||
Варанаси воистину есть сущность трёх миров — прекрасная; и когда её чтут и служат ей, она дарует людям благую участь. Даже совершившие многие злодеяния, придя сюда, при уничтожении грехов становятся безупречными, и их ум сияет чистотой и ясностью.
Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga context on Tirtha-Mahatmya, especially Kāśī/Varanasi)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)
FAQs
The verse declares Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) as the “essence of the three worlds,” teaching that sincere approach, reverence, and tirtha-sevā there leads to papa-kṣaya (destruction of sin) and an inner transformation marked by purity and a luminous mind—thereby granting sugati (a blessed spiritual end).
Bhakti is implied through “sevyamānā” (being served/revered): approaching the tirtha with devotion, humility, and worshipful service becomes the means by which grace and purification arise, turning even heavily burdened lives toward purity and a higher spiritual destiny.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly in this verse; the practical takeaway is tirtha-dharma: the discipline of pilgrimage, reverential conduct, and worship (sevā) as a purifying practice emphasized in Narada Purana’s tirtha-mahātmyas.