Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage

Yātrā-vidhi

Devanagari script

तत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात् संगमे संशितव्रतः / तुल्यं फलवाप्नोति राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः

Transliteration

tatrābhiṣekaṃ yaḥ kuryāt saṃgame saṃśitavrataḥ / tulyaṃ phalavāpnoti rājasūyāśvamedhayoḥ

Translation

Ai giữ giới nguyện nghiêm mật mà làm lễ abhiṣeka (tắm gội nghi lễ) tại nơi hợp lưu thiêng ấy, sẽ được phước quả ngang với tế lễ Rājasūya và Aśvamedha.

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (there)

• अभिषेकम्: ablution/ritual bath
• अभिषेकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• संगमे: at the confluence
• संगमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संशितव्रतः: of firm vow
• संशितव्रतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संशित-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (यः); तत्पुरुषः (संशितं व्रतं यस्य = one whose vow is sharpened/firm)

• तुल्यम्: equal
• तुल्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (equally)

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अवाप्नोति: obtains
• अवाप्नोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present indicative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः: of the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha (sacrifices)
• राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजसूय-अश्वमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (राजसूयश्च अश्वमेधश्च)

Speaker

Traditional Purana narrator (Vyasa/Suta-style narration) describing tirtha-mahatmya; presented as authoritative instruction within the Kurma Purana’s pilgrimage discourse

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Rajasūya
• Aśvamedha
• Saṅgama (sacred confluence)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification through disciplined vows and sacred rites; in the Kurma Purana’s broader teaching, such purification prepares the seeker for Atma-jnana by making the mind fit for devotion and yogic insight.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights vrata-niyama (firm vows/discipline) and ritual purification at a tirtha-saṅgama; these function as preparatory sādhana—supporting inner steadiness that later matures into the Kurma Purana’s yogic path (including Pāśupata-oriented restraint and worship).

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

By valuing tirtha-abhisheka and disciplined dharma as universally efficacious, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance: the same sacred order supports devotion and liberation across Shaiva and Vaishnava modes, without sectarian exclusion.