Shloka 84
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
कुरुक्षेत्रसमा गंगा यत्र तत्रावगाहिता । विशेषो वै कनखले प्रयागं परमं महत्
kurukṣetrasamā gaṃgā yatra tatrāvagāhitā | viśeṣo vai kanakhale prayāgaṃ paramaṃ mahat
यत्र यत्र गङ्गायामवगाह्यते तत्तत्कुरुक्षेत्रसमं भवति। कनखले तु विशेषोऽस्ति; प्रयागस्तु परमं महत्तीर्थम्॥
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (contextual narrator within Svargakhaṇḍa tīrtha-māhātmya section).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रावगाहिता = तत्र + अवगाहिता (स्वर-सन्धि).
FAQs
It maps sanctity onto specific pilgrimage locations: any bathing-place of the Gaṅgā is praised as Kurukṣetra-equivalent, while Kanakhala is singled out for special excellence, and Prayāga is declared foremost among great tīrthas.
By elevating Gaṅgā-bathing and famous tīrthas, the verse supports devotional practice expressed through pilgrimage, reverence, and ritual immersion—acts commonly performed with bhakti (faithful devotion) toward the sacred river and holy sites.
It encourages prioritizing purifying, dharma-aligned actions—such as sincere pilgrimage and sacred bathing—while recognizing that some places and occasions are traditionally regarded as especially conducive to spiritual uplift.