Shloka 90

Prayaga-mahatmya

Glory of Prayaga and the Magha Bath at Triveni

Devanagari script

धनुर्विंशतिविस्तीर्णे सितनीलांबुसंगमे । माघादपुनरावृत्ती राजसूयात्पुनर्भवेत् ॥ ९० ॥

Transliteration

dhanurviṃśativistīrṇe sitanīlāṃbusaṃgame | māghādapunarāvṛttī rājasūyātpunarbhavet || 90 ||

Translation

Tại nơi hợp lưu của dòng Nước Trắng và Nước Xanh, rộng hai mươi dhanus, việc tắm (và hành trì) trong tháng Māgha ban quả “bất hồi”—giải thoát khỏi tái sinh; còn ngay cả lễ tế Rājasūya vẫn đưa đến sinh lại.

Word by Word

• dhanuḥ-viṃśati-vistīrṇe: in (a place) extended to twenty bow-lengths
• dhanuḥ-viṃśati-vistīrṇe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhanuḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + viṃśati (प्रातिपदिक/संख्याशब्द) + vistīrṇa (प्रातिपदिक; PPP)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी 7), Singular (एकवचन); द्विगु-समास: measure 'twenty bows' + 'extended'; qualifying an implied 'place/area'

• sita-nīla-ambu-saṃgame: at the confluence of white and dark waters
• sita-nīla-ambu-saṃgame: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sita (प्रातिपदिक) + nīla (प्रातिपदिक) + ambu (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी 7), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'confluence of white and dark/blue waters'

• māghāt: from (the rite in) Māgha / from Māgha
• māghāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Ablative (पञ्चमी 5), Singular (एकवचन)

• apunar-āvṛttiḥ: non-return (no rebirth)
• apunar-āvṛttiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a- (उपसर्ग/नञ्) + punar (अव्यय) + āvṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा 1), Singular (एकवचन); नञ्-तत्पुरुष: 'non-return'

• rājasūyāt: from the Rājasūya (sacrifice)
• rājasūyāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājasūya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Ablative (पञ्चमी 5), Singular (एकवचन)

• punar: again
• punar: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• bhavet: would be / may occur
• bhavet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a tirtha-mahatmya context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Māgha-snāna

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It elevates tīrtha-sevā—especially Māgha स्नान (Māgha bathing) at a powerful confluence—as a direct means toward apunarāvṛtti (freedom from rebirth), even surpassing the merit of grand royal sacrifices.

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

By valuing sacred observance at a tīrtha over prestige-yajñas, it points to humility and faith-centered practice—typical of Purāṇic bhakti culture—where sincere devotion expressed through pilgrimage and holy bathing is spiritually transformative.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa/ritual practice and sacred time-keeping are implied: the specific month (Māgha) and prescribed act (tīrtha-snāna) show how timing and rite determine spiritual result, contrasting it with the complex śrauta rite of the Rājasūya.