Shloka 14

The Greatness of Gayā

Gayā-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

गयातीर्थं परं ज्ञात्वा योगं चक्रे पितामहः । ब्राह्मणान्पूजयामास ऋषींश्च समुपागतान् ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

gayātīrthaṃ paraṃ jñātvā yogaṃ cakre pitāmahaḥ | brāhmaṇānpūjayāmāsa ṛṣīṃśca samupāgatān || 14 ||

Translation

既知伽耶圣渡（Gayā-tīrtha）为至上圣地，皮塔摩诃（梵天）便在彼处修持瑜伽，并礼敬前来集会的婆罗门与诸仙圣（ṛṣi）。

Word by Word

• gayā-tīrtham: the Gayā pilgrimage-place
• gayā-tīrtham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gayā (प्रातिपदिक) + tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• param: supreme, excellent
• param: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• jñātvā: having known
• jñātvā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• yogam: yoga (discipline/rite)
• yogam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• cakre: performed, did
• cakre: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• pitāmahaḥ: Pitāmaha (Brahmā)
• pitāmahaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• brāhmaṇān: Brahmins
• brāhmaṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• pūjayāmāsa: honoured, worshipped
• pūjayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Periphrastic Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ṛṣīn: sages
• ṛṣīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• samupāgatān: who had arrived, assembled
• samupāgatān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-upa-√gam (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ṛṣīn)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Gayā
• Pitāmaha (Brahmā)
• Brāhmaṇas
• Ṛṣis

FAQs

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

It establishes Gayā-tīrtha as a supremely sanctifying place where even Brahmā performs yoga and upholds dharma by honoring brāhmaṇas and ṛṣis—showing that pilgrimage is fulfilled through spiritual practice and reverent worship.

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

Bhakti is implied through pūjā (reverent honoring) of sacred persons; the verse models devotion as humility and service—approaching a tīrtha with yogic focus and respectful worship rather than mere travel.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to ritual propriety (kalpa-oriented conduct): at a tīrtha one performs disciplined practice (yoga) and properly honors qualified brāhmaṇas and ṛṣis, which aligns with correct procedure for sacred rites.