Shloka 26
The Greatness of the Revā (Narmadā): Release from the Piśāca Curse
गायंति देवाः सततं दिविष्ठा रेवा कदा दृष्टिगता हि नो भवेत् । स्नाता नरा यत्र न गर्भवेदनां पश्यंति तिष्ठंति च विष्णुसन्निधौ
gāyaṃti devāḥ satataṃ diviṣṭhā revā kadā dṛṣṭigatā hi no bhavet | snātā narā yatra na garbhavedanāṃ paśyaṃti tiṣṭhaṃti ca viṣṇusannidhau
เหล่าเทวะผู้สถิตในสวรรค์ขับร้องเนืองนิตย์ว่า “เมื่อใดหนอ เรวาจะปรากฏแก่สายตาเรา?” เพราะมนุษย์ผู้สรงสนาน ณ ที่นั้น ย่อมไม่ประสบความทุกข์แห่งการเกิดใหม่ และดำรงอยู่ในสันนิธิของพระวิษณุ
Unspecified (narrative verse quoting the devas)
Concept: Tīrtha-snāna at Revā removes the suffering of rebirth and establishes the devotee in Viṣṇu’s presence.
Application: Cultivate regular pilgrimage or symbolic snāna (mental bathing with mantra) with remembrance of Viṣṇu; treat sacred places as occasions for inner renunciation and renewed vows.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a luminous celestial balcony, devas with garlands and veenas sing toward the distant earth, their eyes fixed on a silver-blue ribbon of the Revā. Below, on the riverbank, pilgrims step into the current; as they emerge, a subtle aura forms—an unseen corridor leading to Viṣṇu’s radiant presence.","primary_figures":["Devas (Indra’s court singers)","Pilgrims/bathers","Viṣṇu (as unseen/visionary presence)","Revā-devī (personified river goddess)"],"setting":"Heavenly terrace overlooking a visionary landscape where the Narmadā winds through forested ghats and stone steps; a faint Vaikuṇṭha-like halo in the sky.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","river-silver","lotus pink","gold leaf","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devas in jeweled crowns singing with veena and cymbals on a gilded celestial terrace, below them the Revā/Narmadā with stepped ghats and bathing devotees; Viṣṇu’s presence suggested as a radiant mandala in the upper background, heavy gold leaf embellishment, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate devas gazing longingly toward a winding Narmadā in a lyrical landscape, soft mist over forested ghats, tiny bathers on stone steps, refined faces and gentle gestures, cool blues and greens with touches of pink, airy Himalayan-style atmosphere adapted to central Indian river scenery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined devas chanting in rhythmic rows, the Revā as a stylized flowing band with lotus motifs, pilgrims in simplified forms receiving a halo of purity, Viṣṇu’s aura as a circular prabhā above; natural pigment palette with dominant reds, yellows, greens, and deep blue accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central flowing Revā with lotus clusters and ornate floral borders, devotees bathing along ghats, peacocks and cows near the bank, a Vaishnava mandala suggesting Viṣṇu-sannidhi above the river; intricate gold detailing on deep indigo and crimson ground, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","flowing water","conch shell","soft choral humming","wind chimes"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dṛṣṭigatā = dṛṣṭi-gatā; viṣṇusannidhau = viṣṇu-sannidhau
FAQs
It presents the Revā as so sacred that even the devas long to see her, and it frames bathing in her waters as a powerful tirtha-act linked with freedom from the suffering of rebirth.
It states that those who bathe there do not encounter “garbha-vedanā” (the pain of returning to the womb), and that they abide in “Viṣṇu-sannidhi,” implying a Vaishnava model of moksha as nearness to Viṣṇu.
The verse encourages reverence for sacred geography and disciplined pilgrimage practice (tirtha-snana), presenting it as a means to purification and a life oriented toward liberation rather than repeated worldly suffering.