Shloka 66

Description of the Rules for Charitable Gifts and Related Rites

Gaṅgā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

विद्यया मुक्तिदं ज्ञानं प्राप्य यायान्निरंजनम् । गंगातीरे नरो यस्तु नानावृक्षैः समन्वितम् ॥ ६६ ॥

Transliteration

vidyayā muktidaṃ jñānaṃ prāpya yāyānniraṃjanam | gaṃgātīre naro yastu nānāvṛkṣaiḥ samanvitam || 66 ||

Translation

凭依圣学而得解脱之智，人当趋向无垢的至上者。此乃居于恒河之滨、处处点缀多种树木之地的那个人。

Word by Word

• विद्यया: by knowledge/learning
• विद्यया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (instrumental singular)

• मुक्ति-दम्: liberation-giving
• मुक्ति-दम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्ति + द (प्रातिपदिक; द = ‘giving’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘ज्ञानम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मुक्तिं ददाति इति)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्राप्य: having attained
• प्राप्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + √आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having obtained’

• यायात्: should go
• यायात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• निरञ्जनम्: the stainless (state/realm)
• निरञ्जनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरञ्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (गन्तव्य/पदविशेषणम्: ‘stainless’)

• गङ्गा-तीरे: on the bank of the Ganges
• गङ्गा-तीरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा + तीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (गङ्गायाः तीरम्)

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (relative pronoun)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis/contrast)

• नाना-वृक्षैः: with various trees
• नाना-वृक्षैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + वृक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (नानाविधाः वृक्षाः)

• समन्वितम्: endowed/filled
• समन्वितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + अनु + √इ (धातु) → समन्वित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कर्म/गन्तव्यस्य विशेषणम्)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Narada Purana’s tirtha-mahātmya passage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

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

It links tīrtha-vāsa (dwelling by the Gaṅgā) with the attainment of muktidā jñāna—liberating insight—culminating in reaching the nirañjana (the stainless Supreme), emphasizing purity, sacred environment, and spiritual realization.

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

While phrased in terms of jñāna, the setting—Gaṅgā-tīra and sacred residence—supports bhakti-practice (japa, pūjā, tīrtha-sevā). In Narada Purana’s tīrtha-mahātmya style, such holy association is a practical aid that ripens devotion into God-centered realization.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights jñāna (spiritual knowledge) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it implies disciplined study and right understanding (supported by Vyākaraṇa for correct recitation and Śikṣā for proper chanting) as aids toward moksha.