Shloka 82

The Greatness of Gayā

Gayā-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

ततो महीधरं गच्छेद्धर्मज्ञेनाभिरक्षितम् । राजर्षिणा पुण्यकृता गयेनानुपभुज्यते ॥ ८२ ॥

Transliteration

tato mahīdharaṃ gaccheddharmajñenābhirakṣitam | rājarṣiṇā puṇyakṛtā gayenānupabhujyate || 82 ||

Translation

Sau đó, nên đến Mahīdhara, nơi được bậc am tường dharma che chở. Đây là thánh địa được vị vương thánh Gaya thánh hóa bằng công hạnh, không phải chốn để hưởng thụ tầm thường.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (then/thereafter)

• mahī-dharam: mountain
• mahī-dharam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘mahīyāḥ dharaḥ’ = mountain

• gacchet: should go
• gacchet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• dharma-jñena: by the knower of dharma
• dharma-jñena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (singular); तत्पुरुष: ‘dharmaṃ jānāti’ = knower of dharma

• abhirakṣitam: protected/guarded
• abhirakṣitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi+rakṣ (धातु) → abhirakṣita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (accusative, 2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘mahīdharaṃ’

• rāja-ṛṣiṇā: by the royal sage
• rāja-ṛṣiṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘rājā ca asau ṛṣiḥ’ = royal sage

• puṇya-kṛtā: the meritorious one/doer of merit
• puṇya-kṛtā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛt (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘kṛta’ with तत्पुरुष: ‘puṇyaṃ kṛtavān’ = doer of merit; विशेषण of ‘rājaṛṣiṇā’

• gayena: by Gaya (king/person)
• gayena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन

• anupabhujyate: is enjoyed/partaken of
• anupabhujyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu+upa+bhuj (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग-सदृश: ‘is enjoyed/partaken’

Speaker

Sage Nārada (teaching in a tirtha-mahātmya context, traditionally within the Nārada–Sanatkumāra dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Gaya

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It frames Mahīdhara as a dharma-guarded tīrtha sanctified by King Gaya’s merit, teaching that pilgrimage is for purification and reverence—not for worldly consumption.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By discouraging “ordinary enjoyment” at a sacred site, the verse redirects the pilgrim’s intent toward reverent, disciplined worship—an essential mood for bhakti-based tīrtha practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes dharma-guided conduct (ritual propriety and right intention) at tīrthas—practical application of śāstric discipline rather than a technical Vedāṅga like vyākaraṇa or jyotiṣa.