Shloka 47

The Greatness of Gayā

Gayā-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

स्वनामानि यथान्यायं सम्यगाख्यातवान्रहः । उपार्जियित्वा प्रययौ गयाशीर्षमनुत्तमम् ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

svanāmāni yathānyāyaṃ samyagākhyātavānrahaḥ | upārjiyitvā prayayau gayāśīrṣamanuttamam || 47 ||

Translation

பின்னர் அவர் தனிமையில் முறையின்படி தன் பெயர்களைத் துல்லியமாக வெளிப்படுத்தினார்; வேண்டிய பயனைப் பெற்றுக் கொண்டு, ஒப்பற்ற கயாசீர்ஷத்திற்குப் புறப்பட்டார்.

Word by Word

• स्वनामानि: his own names
• स्वनामानि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय (स्वानि नामानि)

• यथा: as / according to
• यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (manner/comparison)

• न्यायम्: rule / proper procedure
• न्यायम्: क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); अव्ययीभावार्थे (यथान्यायम् = according to rule)

• सम्यक्: properly
• सम्यक्: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (manner adverb)

• आख्यातवान्: (he) had declared / told
• आख्यातवान्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+ख्या (धातु)
• Form: क्तवतुँ (Perfect participle/agentive past), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• रहः: secretly / in private
• रहः: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: रहस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावे नपुंसक-प्रातिपदिकस्य अव्ययप्रयोगः; ‘in secret’ (adverbial)

• उपार्जियित्वा: having obtained
• उपार्जियित्वा: पूर्वकाल (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप+आर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive) ‘having acquired/earned’

• प्रययौ: went forth
• प्रययौ: क्रिया (action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• गयाशीर्षम्: Gaya-śīrṣa (the head/peak at Gayā)
• गयाशीर्षम्: कर्म (Karma/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया (प्रातिपदिक) + शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गयायाः शीर्षम्)

• अनुत्तमम्: unsurpassed / excellent
• अनुत्तमम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (qualifier of गयाशीर्षम्)

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) reporting the episode within the Gayā Māhātmya context

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Gayā
• Gayāśīrṣa

FAQs

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

It emphasizes proper conduct and discretion (yathā-nyāya, rahaḥ) before undertaking a sacred journey, culminating in travel to Gayāśīrṣa, presented as an unsurpassed tīrtha.

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

Bhakti here is expressed through reverent action—following dharmic procedure and proceeding to a celebrated sacred place (tīrtha) associated with worship and rites, rather than through philosophical exposition.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual propriety and correct procedure (nyāya) are implied—aligned with Kalpa-style discipline (right performance and etiquette) in tīrtha-related observances.