Narmadā Pilgrimage Itinerary: Sequence of Tīrthas, Rites, and Fruits
ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र केशिनीतीर्थमुत्तमम् । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्नुपवासपरायणः
tato gaccheta rājeṃdra keśinītīrthamuttamam | tatra snātvā naro rājannupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ
پھر، اے راجاؤں کے راجا، کَیشِنی نامی بہترین تیرتھ کی طرف جائے۔ وہاں اشنان کر کے، اے راجن، آدمی اُپواس میں یکسو ہو۔
Pulastya (in instruction to Bhīṣma)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājeṃdra = rāja + indra; keśinītīrthamuttamam = keśinī-tīrtham + uttamam; rājannupavāsa- = rājan + upavāsa- (नकार-संधि)
It points to Keśinī-tīrtha as a recognized pilgrimage destination within the Padma Purana’s sacred landscape, implying a network of named bathing-fords where specific practices are prescribed.
While not explicitly naming a deity, it frames pilgrimage as disciplined devotion: bathing at a tīrtha followed by upavāsa (fasting) functions as a devotional observance that purifies intention and supports sustained religious practice.
The verse teaches self-restraint and intentional discipline: sacred travel is not merely physical movement but is completed by inner commitment, here expressed through fasting as an act of controlled conduct (dama) and dharmic resolve.