Shloka 2
Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage
Yātrā-vidhi
प्रयागतीर्थयात्रार्थो यः प्रयाति नरः क्वचित् / बलीवर्दं समारूढः शृणु तस्यापि यत्फलम्
prayāgatīrthayātrārtho yaḥ prayāti naraḥ kvacit / balīvardaṃ samārūḍhaḥ śṛṇu tasyāpi yatphalam
ఎవడైన మనిషి ఎక్కడినుంచైనా ప్రయాగ తీర్థయాత్రార్థమై ఎద్దుపై ఎక్కి బయలుదేరితే, అతనికూడా కలుగు ఫలమేమిటో వినుము.
Suta (narrator) conveying the Purana’s teaching on tirtha-yatra fruits (within the Kurma Purana discourse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
This verse is a phala-introduction to pilgrimage merit rather than an Atman-definition; its emphasis is on dharmic intention (yātrārtha) and the transformative power of sacred space (tīrtha) as a support for purification that later enables Self-knowledge.
No specific yogic technique is taught in this line; it frames tīrtha-yātrā as an auxiliary discipline (a dharmic sādhana) that supports inner purity—often treated in Purāṇic tradition as a preparatory aid for japa, vrata, and contemplation.
The verse does not explicitly name Shiva or Vishnu; it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative approach by presenting tīrtha (sacred geography) as a shared dharmic framework honored across Shaiva-Vaishnava practice.