Shloka 6
Narmadā
Revā) Tīrtha Greatness: The Gandharva Maidens’ Curse Narrative (Acchodā Episode Begins
नर्मदानर्मदाशब्दो येन केनचिदुच्यते । तस्य स्याच्छाश्वती मुक्तिर्यावदाचंद्र तारकम्
narmadānarmadāśabdo yena kenaciducyate | tasya syācchāśvatī muktiryāvadācaṃdra tārakam
Bất cứ ai, bằng bất cứ cách nào, thốt lên danh “Narmadā”, người ấy liền được giải thoát vĩnh cửu—bền lâu chừng nào trăng và sao còn hiện hữu.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svarga-khaṇḍa 3.22)
Concept: Nāma-ucchāraṇa (uttering the sacred name) itself becomes a liberating act when the object is a supremely holy reality (tīrtha), revealing the power of śabda as a carrier of grace.
Application: Keep sacred names on the tongue—remembering holy rivers, deities, and dharma-terms; cultivate mindful speech (vāṅ-niyama) so that casual utterance becomes intentional remembrance.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim pauses on a high basalt cliff above the broad, emerald Narmadā, hands folded as the single word “Revā” rises like a luminous syllable from the lips. The river below glows with subtle Viṣṇu-tejas, and tiny star-like sparks drift upward, suggesting liberation enduring ‘as long as moon and stars’.","primary_figures":["Narmadā-devī (river goddess)","a humble pilgrim/householder","subtle Viṣṇu presence as radiance or śālagrāma-like aura"],"setting":"Narmadā riverbank with rocky ghāṭa, flowing current, distant temple spire and banyan trees","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with moonlit undertone","color_palette":["sapphire blue","emerald green","moon-silver","basalt gray","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Narmadā-devī rising from stylized waves holding a lotus and kalaśa, a devotee uttering ‘Narmadā’ with a golden syllable halo, ornate riverbank shrine, heavy gold leaf embellishment on jewelry and water highlights, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography framing the river as a goddess-tīrtha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical Narmadā valley with layered hills, delicate brushwork showing rippling water, a small devotee on a rocky ledge with folded hands, moon and scattered stars above, cool palette with soft silver wash, refined faces, subtle divine aura hovering over the river.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines of Narmadā-devī seated on a makara-like river motif, large expressive eyes, flat yet vibrant natural pigments, temple-lamp motifs along the ghāṭa, red/yellow/green dominance with blue river band, sacred syllable rendered as a glowing emblem near the devotee’s mouth.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river rendered as a flowing floral band with lotus motifs, central medallion of Narmadā-devī, border of tulasi and lotus vines, peacocks near the ghāṭa, deep indigo background with gold highlights, devotional text-cartouche featuring ‘Revā’ as auspicious calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","conch shell (distant)","night insects","brief silence after ‘Narmadā’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kenaciducyate = kenacit + ucyate; syācchāśvatī = syāt + śāśvatī (त् + श् → च्छ्); muktiryāvat = muktiḥ + yāvat (विसर्ग-लोप); yāvadācaṃdra = yāvat + ā-candra (त् + आ → दा लेखनभेद/सन्धि); ācaṃdra tārakam = ā-candra-tārakam (अव्ययीभाव)
FAQs
It emphasizes nāma-smaraṇa—remembering or uttering a sacred name—specifically the name of the tīrtha Narmadā.
It is an idiom for an extremely long, world-enduring duration, stressing the extraordinary and lasting merit attributed to the sacred name.
It teaches that simple, sincere acts—like speaking a sacred name—can carry profound spiritual value, encouraging humility and accessible devotion.