Shloka 3
Narmadā Māhātmya with the Praise of Amarakantaka Tīrthas
कथमेषा महापुण्या नदी सर्वत्र विश्रुता । नर्मदानाम विख्याता तन्मम ब्रूहिनारद
kathameṣā mahāpuṇyā nadī sarvatra viśrutā | narmadānāma vikhyātā tanmama brūhinārada
कथं खलु एषा महापुण्या नदी सर्वत्र विश्रुता, ‘नर्मदा’ इति नाम्ना विख्याता? तन्मम ब्रूहि, हे नारद।
An unnamed inquirer addressing Nārada (the sage Nārada is being asked).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कथमेषा = कथम् + एषा; नर्मदानाम = नर्मदा + नाम; तन्मम = तत् + मम; ब्रूहिनारद = ब्रूहि + नारद।
FAQs
It frames the Narmadā as a universally renowned and exceptionally holy river and introduces an inquiry into the reason behind her fame and name.
Nārada is the authoritative sage and divine messenger often consulted for sacred history and tīrtha-māhātmya; the verse positions him as the one who can explain the Narmadā’s celebrated status.
The verse models humility and reverence: one should seek understanding of sacred traditions from qualified sages and approach holy places with informed faith rather than mere curiosity.