Shloka 2
Merits of Vitastā, Devikā, Rudrakoṭī and Sarasvatī Sacred Fords
काश्मीरेष्वेव नागस्य भवनं तक्षक स्यच । वितस्ताख्यमिति ख्यातं सर्वपापप्रमोचनम्
kāśmīreṣveva nāgasya bhavanaṃ takṣaka syaca | vitastākhyamiti khyātaṃ sarvapāpapramocanam
کشمیر ہی میں ناگ تَکشک کا مسکن ہے؛ وہ ‘وِتَستا’ کے نام سے مشہور ہے اور کہا جاتا ہے کہ وہ تمام گناہوں کو دور کرتی ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काश्मीरेष्वेव = काश्मीरेषु + एव; वितस्ताख्यमिति = वितस्ताख्यम् + इति
FAQs
It locates a sanctifying sacred site in Kashmir, identifying it with Vitastā and linking the place to a Nāga presence, reflecting the Purāṇic mapping of holiness onto specific regions and waterways.
Rather than a doctrinal bhakti teaching, the verse supports devotional practice indirectly by praising a tīrtha whose remembrance and visit are portrayed as spiritually purifying—an important feature of Purāṇic devotion.
The verse reinforces the ideal of purification and moral renewal: sins are not treated as permanent, and sincere engagement with sacred places and traditions is presented as a means to reform one’s life.