Shloka 11

Description of the Rules for Charitable Gifts and Related Rites

Gaṅgā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

अप्सरो गणणसंयुक्तान्हेमरत्नविभूषितान् । मुक्ताजालपरिच्छन्नान्वेणुवीणानिनादितान् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

apsaro gaṇaṇasaṃyuktānhemaratnavibhūṣitān | muktājālaparicchannānveṇuvīṇānināditān || 11 ||

Translation

அவன் அப்சரஸ்களின் கூட்டங்களை கண்டான்—தங்கமும் ரத்தினங்களும் அணிந்தவர்கள், முத்து வலைகளால் மூடப்பட்டவர்கள், புல்லாங்குழல் மற்றும் வீணை நாதம் ஒலிக்கின்றவர்கள்।

Word by Word

• अप्सरः: Apsarases
• अप्सरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (वैकल्पिक-रूपेण ‘अप्सराः’); अत्र सूचीकरणे (enumeration)

• गणणसंयुक्तान्: accompanied by groups
• गणणसंयुक्तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गण + (अण) + संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (गणैः संयुक्तान् = joined with groups/attendants)

• हेमरत्नविभूषितान्: adorned with gold and jewels
• हेमरत्नविभूषितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम + रत्न + विभूषित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; समाहार-तत्पुरुषः (हेमरत्नैः विभूषितान् = adorned with gold and jewels)

• मुक्ताजालपरिच्छन्नान्: covered with pearl-nets/garlands
• मुक्ताजालपरिच्छन्नान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्ता + जाल + परिच्छन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (मुक्ताजालेन परिच्छन्नान् = covered with nets/strings of pearls)

• वेणुवीणानिनादितान्: made resonant by flute and vīṇā sounds
• वेणुवीणानिनादितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेणु + वीणा + निनादित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (वेणुवीणाभिः निनादितान् = resounding with flute and vīṇā)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Tirtha-Mahatmya description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Characters & Entities

• Apsaras

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

The verse portrays the divya (celestial) ambiance that manifests as the fruit of great puṇya associated with sacred places—an experiential sign that tirtha-sevā and dharma lead to higher, refined states of existence.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Though not a direct bhakti injunction, the imagery supports the Purāṇic method of inspiring devotion: sacred narratives and tirtha-mahātmya awaken śraddhā, encouraging worship and remembrance of the Divine that culminate in auspicious spiritual results.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; it primarily functions as a descriptive mahatmya passage emphasizing the observable ‘phala’ (result) theme common in Purāṇic tirtha literature.