Shloka 22
Narmadā Māhātmya with the Praise of Amarakantaka Tīrthas
सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च सर्वभूतहिते रतः । एवं सर्वसमाचारः क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत्
sarvahiṃsānivṛttaśca sarvabhūtahite rataḥ | evaṃ sarvasamācāraḥ kṣetrapālānparivrajet
सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च सर्वभूतहिते रतः। एवं सर्वसमाचारः क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत्॥
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: mountain
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तश्च → सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तः + च; क्षेत्रपालान्परिव्रजेत् → क्षेत्रपालान् + परिव्रजेत्.
FAQs
Kṣetrapālas are guardians of a sacred area (temple precincts, tīrthas, or holy regions). The verse frames approaching them as part of disciplined, ethical pilgrimage conduct.
It emphasizes ahiṃsā (complete non-violence) and active concern for the welfare of all beings, presenting moral purity as the foundation for religious travel and worship.
It instructs a person of proper conduct—marked by non-violence and universal benevolence—to go about visiting the kṣetrapālas, i.e., to respectfully approach the guardians associated with sacred sites.