Shloka 9
Glorification of the Yamunā (Yamuna Mahatmya) and Prayāga’s Step-by-Step Aśvamedha Merit
व्यतीतान्पुरुषान्सप्त भविष्यांश्च चतुर्दश । नरस्तारयते सर्वान्यस्तु प्राणान्परित्यजेत्
vyatītānpuruṣānsapta bhaviṣyāṃśca caturdaśa | narastārayate sarvānyastu prāṇānparityajet
บุรุษผู้สละชีวิต ณ ที่นี้เพื่อเหตุอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์ ย่อมโปรดให้พ้นได้ทั้งหมด—เจ็ดชั่วคนที่ล่วงไป และสิบสี่ชั่วคนที่จะมาถึง
Unspecified (narratorial verse within Svargakhaṇḍa; traditional dialogue frame commonly Pulastya → Bhīṣma in Padma Purāṇa)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यतीतान्पुरुषान्सप्त = व्यतीतान् + पुरुषान् + सप्त; भविष्यांश्च = भविष्यन् + च; नरस्तारयते = नरः + तारयते; सर्वान्यस्तु = सर्वान् + यः + तु; प्राणान्परित्यजेत् = प्राणान् + परित्यजेत्
FAQs
It states that a person who relinquishes life for a dharmic, sacred purpose gains merit powerful enough to ‘deliver’ (tārayate) not only oneself but also ancestral and future lines—seven past generations and fourteen future generations.
These numbers function as a traditional Purāṇic way of expressing extended lineage-benefit: the merit is portrayed as reaching broadly across one’s family line, both backward (ancestors) and forward (descendants).
The verse emphasizes the far-reaching consequences of dharmic action: profound commitment and selflessness, when aligned with sacred duty, is depicted as benefiting not just the individual but an entire lineage.