Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

अग्निष्टोमादिभिर्यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा विपुलदक्षिणैः । न तत्फलमवाप्नोति तीर्थाभिगमनेन यत् ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

agniṣṭomādibhiryajñairiṣṭvā vipuladakṣiṇaiḥ | na tatphalamavāpnoti tīrthābhigamanena yat || 9 ||

Translation

即使举行阿耆尼什多摩等诸般祭祀，并以丰厚的达克希那供养祭司，也得不到那种功德；唯有前往圣地渡口（tīrtha）朝礼，方能获得其果报。

Word by Word

• अग्निष्टोम-आदिभिः: by Agniṣṭoma and other (rites)
• अग्निष्टोम-आदिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्निष्टोम + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—अग्निष्टोमः आदिः येषां ते (अग्निष्टोमादि)

• यज्ञैः: by sacrifices
• यज्ञैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन

• इष्ट्वा: having performed (sacrifice)
• इष्ट्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), ‘having sacrificed’

• विपुल-दक्षिणैः: with abundant fees (donations)
• विपुल-दक्षिणैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपुल + दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (दक्षिणा), तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—विपुला दक्षिणा यस्य/येषां तैः

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• तत्-फलम्: that fruit/result
• तत्-फलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—तस्य फलम्

• अवाप्नोति: attains
• अवाप्नोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• तीर्थ-अभिगमनेन: by going to a sacred place
• तीर्थ-अभिगमनेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ + अभिगमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; समासः—तीर्थस्य अभिगमनम्

• यत्: which (result)
• यत्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-यत् (relative pronoun)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Tirtha-Mahatmya context; dialogue traditionally framed with Sanatkumara lineage in Narada Purana discourses)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

• Agniṣṭoma
• Yajña
• Tīrtha
• Dakṣiṇā

FAQs

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

It elevates tīrtha-yātrā (approaching sacred places) as a uniquely potent means of accruing puṇya, stating its fruit can surpass even expensive, highly meritorious śrauta sacrifices like Agniṣṭoma.

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

By prioritizing tīrtha-abhigamana—traditionally connected with darśana, worship, and remembrance of the Lord at holy sites—it implies that proximity to sacred presence and devotional practice can yield results beyond formal ritual expenditure.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual science (Kalpa) is implied: Agniṣṭoma and dakṣiṇā belong to śrauta-yajña procedure, yet the verse teaches a dhārmic hierarchy of results where tīrtha practice is presented as especially efficacious.