Shloka 14
The Glory of Bhārata-varṣa: Enumerating Mountains, Rivers, and Regions
करीषिणीं चित्रवहां त्रिसेनां चैव निम्नगाम् । गोमतीं धूतपापां च चंदनां च महानदीम्
karīṣiṇīṃ citravahāṃ trisenāṃ caiva nimnagām | gomatīṃ dhūtapāpāṃ ca caṃdanāṃ ca mahānadīm
கரீஷிணீ, சித்ரவஹா, திரிசேனா, நிம்நகா; மேலும் கோமதி, தூதபாபா, சந்தனா—இவையும் மகாநதிகளெனப் புகழப்படுகின்றன.
Unspecified (narrative catalogue of sacred rivers within the chapter context)
Concept: Smaraṇa of sacred rivers and their waters is a dharmic act that turns the mind toward purification and pilgrimage.
Application: Keep a simple daily practice of tīrtha-smaraṇa (remembering Gaṅgā and other rivers), support river-cleanliness, and when possible perform snāna/ācamana with a prayer of surrender to Nārāyaṇa.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A celestial map unfurls like a lotus-petal mandala, each petal becoming a river with shimmering Sanskrit name-glyphs floating above the current. Pilgrims and sages stand on a high riverbank terrace, offering arghya as the waters braid into a single luminous stream that seems to flow toward Viṣṇu’s feet.","primary_figures":["anonymous sages (dvijas)","pilgrims","personified river-goddesses (nadī-devīs)","Vishnu (subtle, as a distant radiant presence)"],"setting":"mythic river confluence landscape with multiple channels, ghats, and a distant temple spire; palm-leaf manuscripts and rosaries in the foreground","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","river-jade green","lotus pink","gold leaf","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a multi-river sacred panorama arranged as a lotus mandala; nadī-devīs as graceful crowned goddesses rising from waves, sages offering arghya at stone ghats; distant Viṣṇu aura above the horizon; heavy gold leaf on jewelry, river highlights, and Sanskrit river-name cartouches; rich vermilion, emerald, and deep blue with ornate temple borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical river-valley scene with delicate brushwork; multiple slender streams labeled in fine Devanāgarī; sages in white seated on grassy banks, small shrines and flowering trees; cool blues and greens with soft pink lotuses; misty hills framing the sacred geography.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; personified rivers as nadī-devīs with large expressive eyes, standing in stylized waves; sages performing ācamana; decorative floral borders and temple-arch motifs; dominant reds, yellows, greens with blue water bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river-nāmāvalī as an ornate border of flowing blue bands and lotus motifs; central subtle Viṣṇu-padma emblem; peacocks and cows near ghats; intricate floral filigree and gold accents; deep indigo background with pink lotuses and white foam patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","soft conch shell","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
FAQs
It catalogs revered rivers by name, reflecting the Purana’s tirtha-oriented sacred geography where rivers are treated as spiritually potent pilgrimage sites.
Such names encode a theological function: contact with, remembrance of, or pilgrimage to these waters is portrayed as purifying and merit-producing (puṇya).
The verse encourages reverence for sacred waters and the pilgrimage culture tied to self-purification, restraint, and devotion—valuing inner cleansing alongside outward sacred travel.