Shloka 28

Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya

Devanagari script

प्रयागे तीर्थयात्रायां पितृमातृवियोगतः । कचानां वपनं कुर्याद् वृथा न विकचो भवेत् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

prayāge tīrthayātrāyāṃ pitṛmātṛviyogataḥ | kacānāṃ vapanaṃ kuryād vṛthā na vikaco bhavet || 28 ||

Translation

在前往普拉亚伽（Prayāga）圣地渡口的朝圣中，凡与父母离别或已失父母者，应依哀悼之仪剃发，使其不致无故成秃。

Word by Word

• prayāge: at Prayāga
• prayāge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prayāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• tīrtha-yātrāyām: during pilgrimage
• tīrtha-yātrāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक) + yātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (tīrthasya yātrā)

• pitṛ-mātṛ-viyogataḥ: due to separation from father and mother
• pitṛ-mātṛ-viyogataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + viyoga (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्-अव्ययीभावार्थ)
• Form: तसिलन्त-अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘because of/separated from’; समास: (pitṛ+mātṛ) द्वन्द्व-आधार + viyoga तत्पुरुष + -tas

• kacānām: of the hair
• kacānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• vapanam: shaving
• vapanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vapana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• kuryāt: should do
• kuryāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• vṛthā: in vain, uselessly
• vṛthā: Prakāra-adhikaraṇa (प्रकार-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vṛthā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• vikacaḥ: bald (hairless)
• vikacaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikaca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (predicate adjective)

• bhavet: would become
• bhavet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Prayaga-Mahatmya teachings as transmitted in the Purana)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Prayaga

FAQs

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

It teaches that external rites at a tīrtha (like shaving) should be performed with a proper dharmic cause—here, parental separation/bereavement—so that ritual acts are meaningful rather than merely imitative.

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

By emphasizing sincerity and right intention in sacred observances at Prayāga, it supports bhakti as disciplined, mindful practice rather than empty display; devotion is strengthened when rites align with dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied: the verse gives a rule of conduct for tīrtha-yātrā and a specific rite (vapana) tied to a qualifying condition, reflecting dharma-śāstric precision in observance.