Shloka 73

Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्

Devanagari script

नानाविधैश्व विहगैर्जलप्रकरसेविभि: । एकद्वारामनादेयां सूपतीर्थामकर्दमाम्‌

Transliteration

nānāvidhaiś ca vihagair jalaprakara-sevibhiḥ | ekadvārām anādeyāṃ sūpatīrthām akardamām ||

Translation

毗湿摩说道：那里有无数水鸟，依水而生，啜饮其丰沛的水潭，并以种种鸣声充满四方。那水库只有一处入口；其中之物皆不可取走。下水沐浴的石阶精良齐整，且全无黏滑之苔与污泥。

Word by Word

• नाना: various
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना

• विधैः: by kinds/ways
• विधैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विध
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• विहगैः: by birds
• विहगैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विहग
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• जल: water
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल
• Form: Neuter, Stem (in compound), —

• प्रकर: mass/heap (collection)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रकर
• Form: Masculine, Stem (in compound), —

• सेविभिः: by those who resort to/use
• सेविभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेविन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• एक: single
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक
• Form: Masculine, Stem (in compound), —

• द्वाराम्: having an entrance/door
• द्वाराम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• अनादेयाम्: not to be taken/appropriated
• अनादेयाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनादेय
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• सूपतीर्थाम्: having a very good landing-place/ford (good steps)
• सूपतीर्थाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-उपतीर्थ
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• अकर्दमाम्: free from mud
• अकर्दमाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकर्दम
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• birds (vihagāḥ)
• water-reservoir/pond (implied)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse praises a pure, well-ordered water-place where one may drink and bathe but not take possessions—highlighting restraint (anādeya, non-appropriation) and the dharmic ideal of enjoying shared resources without greed or defilement.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma is describing a particular water-reservoir/pond: many birds drink there; it has a single entrance, fine bathing-steps, and is clean—without mud or slime—setting a scene of purity and regulated access.