Shloka 24
Jāmbavatī’s Vaiṣṇava-Ācāra: Grace, Sense-Consecration, and Pilgrimage to Śrīnivāsa on Veṅkaṭādri
यो वाहने तुरगे चोपविष्टस्तीर्थाटनं कुरुते चार्धहीनम् / वृषादीनां वाहने पादमाहुः परान्नानां भोजने व्यर्थमाहुः
yo vāhane turage copaviṣṭastīrthāṭanaṃ kurute cārdhahīnam / vṛṣādīnāṃ vāhane pādamāhuḥ parānnānāṃ bhojane vyarthamāhuḥ
Wer die Pilgerfahrt sitzend auf einem Fahrzeug oder auf einem Pferd unternimmt, vollzieht sie nur mit halbem Verdienst. Das Reiten auf Stieren und ähnlichen Tieren, sagen sie, bringt nur ein Viertel. Und sie erklären, dass das Essen von Speise, die andere geben (als Almosen), fruchtlos sei.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Comfort-seeking travel reduces tapas-fruit; dependence on others’ food (as handout) is censured as undermining the pilgrimage’s purpose.
Vedantic Theme: Aparigraha and tapas: minimizing dependence and indulgence supports inner freedom; intention and discipline shape karma-phala.
Application: Prefer simpler travel when undertaking religious vows; practice mindful eating and avoid exploitative dependence; accept hospitality with humility and reciprocity rather than entitlement.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: journey route and alms/food context
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: general emphasis on disciplined conduct during vows, and critique of hypocrisy/indulgence in religious acts (thematic link)
FAQs
This verse states that pilgrimage done while seated on a mount/horse yields reduced merit (half, or even a quarter on certain mounts), implying that personal effort and austerity (walking) are integral to full spiritual fruit.
It frames punya as dependent not only on the destination (tirtha) but also on the manner of practice—comfort-seeking reduces the intended tapas, thereby diminishing the result.
When undertaking sacred vows or pilgrimages, prioritize simplicity and effort; avoid turning spiritual practice into convenience-only travel, and be mindful about dependency on others’ provisions when it compromises discipline.