Shloka 4
Dāna-vrata and the Tīrtha Circuit of Venkaṭādri
Snāna, Mantra, Naivedya
ब्रह्महत्यादिपापौघो यत्र स्नानेन नश्यति / प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते ह्यत्र स्नानं कर्तुं समुद्यतैः
brahmahatyādipāpaugho yatra snānena naśyati / pratyakṣaṃ dṛśyate hyatra snānaṃ kartuṃ samudyataiḥ
য’ত স্নান কৰিলে ব্ৰহ্মহত্যা আদি পাপসমূহৰ স্ৰোত নাশ হয়। ইয়াত স্নান কৰিবলৈ উদ্যত লোকসকল তৎপৰ হোৱা প্ৰত্যক্ষ দেখা যায়।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Karma-phala can be mitigated through prescribed purificatory acts (snāna) at potent tirthas; communal testimony (‘pratyakṣa’) supports faith in the rite.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and prāyaścitta within vyavahāra; purification as preparation for higher pursuits (dharma/adhyātma).
Application: If burdened by wrongdoing, combine ritual purification with restitution, confession to conscience, and sustained ethical reform.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha-snāna-sthāna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: prāyaścitta/dāna sections where grave sins are discussed (general)
FAQs
This verse presents snāna as a powerful purificatory act capable of destroying even grave accumulations of sin, functioning as a form of prāyaścitta (expiation) when done with intent and proper observance.
The wording “yatra” (“where”) indicates a particular place known for sin-destruction through bathing, implying a tīrtha context, while also highlighting the general principle that sincere ritual bathing is a recognized means of purification.
Treat cleansing practices as ethical purification: bathe with prayerful intention, avoid harmful actions that create pāpa, and pair ritual acts with real-life repentance, restraint, and dharmic conduct.