Shloka 68
Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority
तत्र श्रेष्ठां गीतिकामाहुरार्यास्तथैव विष्णोर्नामसाहस्रक च / तयोस्तत्र श्रवणाद्भारतस्य दशाधिकं फलमाहुर्महान्तः
tatra śreṣṭhāṃ gītikāmāhurāryāstathaiva viṣṇornāmasāhasraka ca / tayostatra śravaṇādbhāratasya daśādhikaṃ phalamāhurmahāntaḥ
তাত আৰ্যসকলে ‘গীতা’ক শ্ৰেষ্ঠ গীতিকা বুলি আৰু তদ্ৰূপ ‘বিষ্ণু-নাম-সহস্ৰ’কো কয়। মহাত্মাসকলে কয়—এই দুয়োটাৰ কেৱল শ্ৰৱণেই ভাৰত (মহাভাৰত) শ্ৰৱণতকৈ দশগুণ অধিক ফল দিয়ে।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Among Mahābhārata’s contents, the Bhagavad-Gītā and Viṣṇu-nāma-sahasra are singled out as highest; śravaṇa of these is exceptionally meritorious.
Vedantic Theme: Bhakti supported by jñāna: Gītā’s synthesis (karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, bhakti-yoga) and nāma as direct upāsanā; nāma as accessible Brahman/Īśvara-sādhana.
Application: Regularly hear/recite Gītā and Viṣṇu-sahasranāma with attention; join satsang; integrate teachings into conduct (niṣkāma karma, devotion, remembrance).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: sacred field
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (common): nāma-mahātmyas and Viṣṇu-bhakti praised as swift purifiers; hearing as a primary sādhana.
FAQs
This verse states they are regarded as the श्रेष्ठ (most excellent) recitations, and that hearing them grants exceptionally high spiritual fruit.
In the Preta Kanda setting, the text emphasizes śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a powerful support for spiritual upliftment, which is especially relevant when guiding and consoling the departed and the living during post-death rites.
Regularly listen to or recite the Bhagavad Gita and Vishnu Sahasranama—especially during śrāddha periods or in times of grief—as a focused, devotional practice centered on Viṣṇu.