Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29

Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage

Yātrā-vidhi

Devanagari script

यत्र गङ्गा महाभागा बहुतीर्थतपोवना / सिद्धक्षेत्रं हि तज्ज्ञेयं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

Transliteration

yatra gaṅgā mahābhāgā bahutīrthatapovanā / siddhakṣetraṃ hi tajjñeyaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Translation

Nơi nào Nữ thần Gaṅgā chí cát tường tuôn chảy—dồi dào các thánh độ và những lâm viện khổ hạnh—nơi ấy phải được biết là Siddha-kṣetra; không cần bàn luận thêm.

Word by Word

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (relative adverb of place)

• गङ्गा: Gaṅgā
• गङ्गा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• महाभागा: most fortunate / illustrious
• महाभागा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (महान् भागः यस्याः/महान् भागः = महाभागा)

• बहु-तीर्थ-तपो-वनाः: having many sacred fords and penance-groves
• बहु-तीर्थ-तपो-वनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास: बहूनि तीर्थानि तपोवनानि च यस्याः सा

• सिद्ध-क्षेत्रम्: a perfected/holy region
• सिद्ध-क्षेत्रम्: Karma (कर्म) (of implied ‘to be known’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सिद्धं क्षेत्रम्)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थक

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म) (object of ‘to be known’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; निर्देश (demonstrative)

• ज्ञेयम्: is to be known
• ज्ञेयम्: Kriya (क्रिया) (predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (यत्) कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be known/should be known’

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• अत्र: here / in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (adverb of place)

• कार्या: to be done / necessary
• कार्या: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• विचारणा: deliberation / inquiry
• विचारणा: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied ‘is’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचारणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator within the Kurma Purana’s tīrtha-māhātmya context (instructional voice praising Gaṅgā-associated sacred geography)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Tīrtha
• Siddha-kṣetra

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames certain tīrthas as “siddha-kṣetra,” implying that inner perfection (siddhi)—ultimately rooted in Self-realization—is especially accessible where sacred conditions support tapas and purification.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) and residence in tapo-vana (ascetic groves) are emphasized; the verse treats such environments—especially along Gaṅgā—as uniquely conducive to purification, disciplined practice, and attainment.

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

Not explicitly; however, by elevating Gaṅgā-tīrthas and tapas as universally efficacious, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance where shared dharmic disciplines and sacred spaces support realization beyond sectarian boundaries.