Shloka 17

Tīrtha-Māhātmya: Catalog of Sacred Places and the Supreme Inner Tīrtha

Devanagari script

विरजस्तु महातीर्थं तीर्थं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम् / महेन्द्रपर्वतस्तीर्थं कावेरी च नदी परा

Transliteration

virajastu mahātīrthaṃ tīrthaṃ śrīpuruṣottamam / mahendraparvatastīrthaṃ kāverī ca nadī parā

Translation

विरजा तु महातीर्थं तथा श्रीपुरुषोत्तमं तीर्थम्। महेन्द्रपर्वतोऽपि तीर्थं कावेरी च नदी परा॥

Word by Word

• विरजः: Viraja (name of a tīrtha/river)
• विरजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• तु: indeed/and
• तु: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषणार्थक-निपात (particle: 'but/indeed')

• महातीर्थम्: a great tīrtha
• महातीर्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; कर्मधारय

• तीर्थम्: tīrtha
• तीर्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम्: Śrī-Puruṣottama (sacred place/name)
• श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री + पुरुषोत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—श्रियः पुरुषोत्तमः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) / अथवा 'श्रीमान् पुरुषोत्तमः' (कर्मधारय) प्रचलित-नाम

• महेन्द्रपर्वतः: Mahendra mountain
• महेन्द्रपर्वतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेन्द्र + पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—महेन्द्रस्य पर्वतः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• तीर्थम्: tīrtha
• तीर्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• कावेरी: Kāverī (river)
• कावेरी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कावेरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• नदी: river
• नदी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• परा: supreme/excellent
• परा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying नदी)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred places are embodiments of divine presence; approaching them with devotion yields purification and merit.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-brahman upāsanā through kṣetra; tīrtha as support for śraddhā leading toward śānti.

Application: If visiting, maintain tīrtha-niyamas (truthfulness, non-harm, cleanliness), offer water/flowers, and remember Puruṣottama with nāma-japa.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: river-tīrtha; kṣetra/temple-town; mountain; river

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.81 (tīrtha enumeration continuing)

Characters & Entities

• Viraja
• Shri Purushottama
• Mahendra Parvata
• Kaveri

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrthas like Virajā and Śrī Puruṣottama in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights them as “mahātīrthas,” implying exceptional sanctity and spiritual merit associated with visiting, bathing, or worship at these pilgrimage sites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, by emphasizing tīrtha-mahima: pilgrimage and sacred association are presented as dharmic supports that purify one’s life and aid auspicious spiritual outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Honor sacred geography through disciplined pilgrimage, river-reverence, and ethical living—treating holy places as reminders to practice dharma, restraint, and devotion.