Shloka 121
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
यथा भगीरथो राजा यथा रामश्च विश्रुतः । यथा वै वृत्रहा सर्वान्सपत्नानदहत् पुरा
yathā bhagīratho rājā yathā rāmaśca viśrutaḥ | yathā vai vṛtrahā sarvānsapatnānadahat purā
यथा भगीरथो राजा यथा रामोऽपि विश्रुतः। यथा वै वृत्रहा पूर्वं सपत्नानदहत् प्रभुः॥
Unspecified (verse excerpt; surrounding dialogue needed to confirm—often Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma in Svargakhaṇḍa contexts)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rāmaśca → rāmaḥ ca; sarvān sapatnān adahat → sarvān-sapatnān-adahat (external sandhi in text).
FAQs
They function as well-known exemplars of fame and greatness—Bhagiratha for his celebrated royal achievement and Rama as the universally renowned ideal king—used here as benchmarks of renown.
Vṛtrahā is Indra, famed for slaying the demon Vṛtra. “Burning rivals” is a poetic way to describe overpowering and utterly defeating opponents.
It highlights the theme of celebrated power and victory: true eminence is recognized through decisive action and the capacity to overcome hostile forces, whether human or cosmic.