Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29

Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage

Yātrā-vidhi

Devanagari script

यत्र गङ्गा महाभागा बहुतीर्थतपोवना / सिद्धक्षेत्रं हि तज्ज्ञेयं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

Transliteration

yatra gaṅgā mahābhāgā bahutīrthatapovanā / siddhakṣetraṃ hi tajjñeyaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Translation

ఎక్కడ పరమ భాగ్యశాలిని దేవీ గంగా అనేక తీర్థాలు, తపోవనాలతో సమృద్ధిగా ప్రవహిస్తుందో, ఆ స్థలాన్ని సిద్ధక్షేత్రమని తెలుసుకోవాలి; ఇందులో సందేహం లేదు.

Word by Word

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (relative adverb of place)

• गङ्गा: Gaṅgā
• गङ्गा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• महाभागा: most fortunate / illustrious
• महाभागा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (महान् भागः यस्याः/महान् भागः = महाभागा)

• बहु-तीर्थ-तपो-वनाः: having many sacred fords and penance-groves
• बहु-तीर्थ-तपो-वनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास: बहूनि तीर्थानि तपोवनानि च यस्याः सा

• सिद्ध-क्षेत्रम्: a perfected/holy region
• सिद्ध-क्षेत्रम्: Karma (कर्म) (of implied ‘to be known’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सिद्धं क्षेत्रम्)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थक

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म) (object of ‘to be known’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; निर्देश (demonstrative)

• ज्ञेयम्: is to be known
• ज्ञेयम्: Kriya (क्रिया) (predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (यत्) कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be known/should be known’

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• अत्र: here / in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (adverb of place)

• कार्या: to be done / necessary
• कार्या: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• विचारणा: deliberation / inquiry
• विचारणा: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied ‘is’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचारणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator within the Kurma Purana’s tīrtha-māhātmya context (instructional voice praising Gaṅgā-associated sacred geography)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Tīrtha
• Siddha-kṣetra

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

Indirectly: it frames certain tīrthas as “siddha-kṣetra,” implying that inner perfection (siddhi)—ultimately rooted in Self-realization—is especially accessible where sacred conditions support tapas and purification.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) and residence in tapo-vana (ascetic groves) are emphasized; the verse treats such environments—especially along Gaṅgā—as uniquely conducive to purification, disciplined practice, and attainment.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

Not explicitly; however, by elevating Gaṅgā-tīrthas and tapas as universally efficacious, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance where shared dharmic disciplines and sacred spaces support realization beyond sectarian boundaries.