Shloka 71

Narmadā–Tīrtha-Māhātmya: Sequence of Sacred Fords and Their Fruits

Devanagari script

शुक्लतीर्थात् परं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति / पूर्वे वयसि कर्माणि कृत्वा पापानि मानवः / अहोरात्रोपवासेन शुक्लतीर्थे व्यपोहति

Transliteration

śuklatīrthāt paraṃ tīrthaṃ na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati / pūrve vayasi karmāṇi kṛtvā pāpāni mānavaḥ / ahorātropavāsena śuklatīrthe vyapohati

Translation

சுக்லதீர்த்தத்தை விட உயர்ந்த தீர்த்தம் முன்பும் இல்லை, இனியும் இல்லை. இளமையில் செய்த பாவங்களை மனிதன் சுக்லதீர்த்தத்தில் பகல்-இரவு முழு உபவாசம் செய்து நீக்கிக் கொள்கிறான்.

Word by Word

शुक्ल-तीर्थात्than/from Śukla-tīrtha

परम्higher, superior

तीर्थम्pilgrimage place

नnot

भूतम्has been (in the past)

नnor/not

भविष्यतिwill be

पूर्वेin earlier

वयसिin age (youth/earlier life)

कर्माणिdeeds, actions

कृत्वाhaving done

पापानिsins

मानवःa human being

अहोरात्र-उपवासेनby a day-and-night fast

शुक्ल-तीर्थेat Śukla-tīrtha

व्यपोहतिremoves, dispels

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing in a tīrtha-māhātmya context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

Śuklatīrtha

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification (śuddhi) through tīrtha and vrata as a prerequisite for higher knowledge—cleansing pāpa supports steadiness of mind, which is classically required for realizing the ātman.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Ahorātra-upavāsa (day-and-night fasting) is highlighted as a discipline (vrata/tapas) that functions as prāyaścitta and mental purification—often treated as preparatory to japa, dhyāna, and other yogic observances in Purāṇic sādhanā.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

This specific verse is not explicitly sectarian; it presents a shared Purāṇic dharma framework where tīrtha, vrata, and purification are universally efficacious—compatible with the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis.