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
آسمان میں بسنے والے دیوتا برابر گاتے ہیں: “رِیوا کب ہماری نگاہ کے سامنے آئے گی؟” جہاں انسان غسل کرتے ہیں وہاں وہ دوبارہ جنم کی تکلیفیں نہیں دیکھتے، اور وِشنو کی حضوری میں قائم رہتے ہیں۔
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.