Shloka 25
Kāśī-māhātmya: Avimukta Gaṅgā and the Pañcanada Tīrtha
कल्पक्षयेऽपि न भवेत्तस्य पुण्यस्य संक्षयः । वंध्यापि वर्षपर्यंतं स्नात्वा पञ्चनदे ह्रदे ॥ २५ ॥
kalpakṣaye'pi na bhavettasya puṇyasya saṃkṣayaḥ | vaṃdhyāpi varṣaparyaṃtaṃ snātvā pañcanade hrade || 25 ||
கல்பம் அழிந்தாலும் அந்தப் புண்ணியம் குறையாது. பஞ்சநத ஹ்ரதத்தில் முழு ஒரு வருடம் நீராடினால், பிள்ளையில்லாத பெண்ணும் புண்ணியப் பயனை அடைவாள்।
Suta (narrating the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue; Tirtha-Mahatmya section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It declares the akṣaya (non-diminishing) nature of merit earned through the prescribed sacred bath at Pañcanada-hrada—so potent that it is said to remain undiminished even until the end of a kalpa.
While the verse speaks in the language of tirtha-mahātmya and puṇya, it supports bhakti-oriented dharma by emphasizing faith-filled, disciplined practice at a sacred place—an outward act that nurtures inner reverence for the divine order upheld by the Purana.
Ritual practice (kalpa/ācāra in the broader sense) is implied: the discipline of tīrtha-snānā and time-bound observance (varṣa-paryanta) reflects codified dharmic procedure rather than grammar or astrology.