Shloka 13

The Greatness of Prayāga: Confluence Theology and the Totality of Tīrthas

Devanagari script

इति सत्यं द्विजातीनां साधूनामात्मजस्य वा । सुहृदां च जपेत्कर्णे शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य वा

Transliteration

iti satyaṃ dvijātīnāṃ sādhūnāmātmajasya vā | suhṛdāṃ ca japetkarṇe śiṣyasyānugatasya vā

Translation

یہ سچائی دو بار جنم لینے والوں، نیک سادھوؤں، اپنے بیٹے، اور معتبر دوستوں کے کان میں آہستہ جپ کر کے کہی جائے؛ یا اس عقیدت مند شاگرد کے کان میں بھی جو وفاداری سے پیروی کرے۔

Word by Word

इतिthus

सत्यम्truth

द्विजातीनाम्of the twice-born

साधूनाम्of the virtuous

आत्मजस्यof (one's) son

वाor

सुहृदाम्of friends/well-wishers

चand

जपेत्should recite/mutter

कर्णेin the ear

शिष्यस्यof a disciple

अनुगतस्यwho has followed/attendant

वाor

Speaker

Unspecified (narrative instruction within the chapter; likely a teacher/ṛṣi addressing a listener in the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: साधूनामात्मजस्य = साधूनाम् आत्मजस्य; जपेत्कर्णे = जपेत् कर्णे; शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य = शिष्यस्य अनुगतस्य

FAQs

What practice does this verse recommend—public recitation or private instruction?

It recommends a discreet, private transmission—reciting the teaching softly into the ear—suggesting controlled sharing rather than public proclamation.

Who is considered an appropriate recipient of this “truth” according to the verse?

The verse names the twice-born (dvija), the virtuous (sādhu), one’s own son, trusted friends (suhṛd), and a devoted, obedient disciple who follows the teacher.

What ethical principle is implied by restricting the teaching to specific people?

The implied ethic is responsible transmission: sacred or potent instruction should be given to qualified, trustworthy recipients to prevent misuse and preserve its integrity.