Shloka 48
Narmadā Pilgrimage Itinerary: Sequence of Tīrthas, Rites, and Fruits
तं तु तीर्थानि सर्वाणि अभिषिंचंति पांडव । नर्मदा च सदा प्रीता भवेद्वै नात्र संशयः
taṃ tu tīrthāni sarvāṇi abhiṣiṃcaṃti pāṃḍava | narmadā ca sadā prītā bhavedvai nātra saṃśayaḥ
اے پانڈو کے فرزند! تمام تیرتھ اس کا ابھیشیک کرتے ہیں، اور نَرمدا ندی ہمیشہ اس پر خوش رہتی ہے—اس میں کوئی شک نہیں۔
Unspecified narrator addressing a Pāṇḍava (contextual addressee: likely Bhīṣma in a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue, but not explicit in the provided excerpt).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अभिषिञ्चन्ति is standard spelling; given text has अभिषिंचंति (anusvāra for ñc). भवेत् + वै → भवेद्वै; न + अत्र → नात्र
FAQs
It portrays tīrthas as spiritually responsive: a worthy person is symbolically “anointed” or consecrated by all pilgrimage places, implying their accumulated merit and sanctifying power converge upon him.
Narmadā is singled out as a living sacred presence (a devī-river) whose favor is assured toward such a person, reinforcing her status as a major tīrtha and a bestower of spiritual benefit.
The verse implies that spiritual purity and right conduct (or sincere devotion) make one fit for consecration; true sanctity is not only sought at holy places but is also ‘recognized’ by them.