Shloka 12

Prayaga-mahatmya

Glory of Prayaga and the Magha Bath at Triveni

Devanagari script

कृते युगे स्वरूपेण कलौ प्रच्छन्नरूपिणः । सर्वतीर्थानि कृष्णानि पापिनां संगदोषतः ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

kṛte yuge svarūpeṇa kalau pracchannarūpiṇaḥ | sarvatīrthāni kṛṣṇāni pāpināṃ saṃgadoṣataḥ || 12 ||

Translation

کرت یُگ میں تیرتھ اپنے حقیقی سوروپ سے ظاہر رہتے ہیں، مگر کلی یُگ میں وہ پوشیدہ صورت اختیار کر لیتے ہیں۔ گنہگاروں کی صحبت کے دَوش سے سب تیرتھ ‘کرشن’ (ملین) ہو جاتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• कृते: in the Kṛta (yuga)
• कृते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular); ‘कृतयुग’ अर्थे (in the Kṛta age)

• युगे: in the age
• युगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वरूपेण: by (their) own form
• स्वरूपेण: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular); तृतीया-करण (means): ‘by/with one’s own form’

• कलौ: in Kali (yuga)
• कलौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रच्छन्न-रूपिणः: having concealed forms
• प्रच्छन्न-रूपिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रच्छन्न + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय: प्रच्छन्नं रूपं येषाम्/प्रच्छन्नरूपाः (hidden-formed)

• सर्व-तीर्थानि: all sacred fords/holy places
• सर्व-तीर्थानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय: सर्वाणि तीर्थानि

• कृष्णानि: dark/tainted
• कृष्णानि: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषणं ‘सर्वतीर्थानि’ प्रति

• पापिनाम्: of sinners
• पापिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पापिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सङ्ग-दोषतः: due to the fault of association
• सङ्ग-दोषतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सङ्ग + दोष (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘because of/from’; सङ्गदोषात् इत्यर्थः

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-discourse, traditionally within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue stream)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It warns that the sanctity of tīrthas is not merely geographic; in Kali Yuga, holiness can be obscured when places are frequented with impure conduct—so inner purity and right company become essential to receive tīrtha-phala.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

It indirectly stresses bhakti through satsanga: devotion thrives in pure association and disciplined conduct; avoiding pāpa-saṅga protects faith, remembrance, and the ability to experience sacredness even at holy places.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The practical takeaway aligns with Dharma-śāstra and ritual purity (śauca): one should observe tīrtha etiquette—clean conduct, restraint, and discerning association—so that pilgrimage and rites are not reduced to mere outer travel.