Shloka 61
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
गुरुतल्पादिपापेभ्यो मुच्यन्ते नात्र संशयः / तत्र स्नात्वा पूर्वभागे शालग्रामं ददाति यः
gurutalpādipāpebhyo mucyante nātra saṃśayaḥ / tatra snātvā pūrvabhāge śālagrāmaṃ dadāti yaḥ
Sie werden von Sünden wie der Entweihung des Lagers des Lehrers (und anderen schweren Vergehen) befreit—daran besteht kein Zweifel. Wer dort badet und im östlichen Teil einen Śālagrāma als heilige Gabe (dāna) darbringt, erlangt diese Erlösung.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Prāyaścitta through tīrtha-snāna and Viṣṇu-svarūpa (Śālagrāma) dāna can neutralize severe pāpa.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha mediated through bhakti-linked karma (dāna) and śuddhi leading toward adhikāritva for jñāna.
Application: Undertake pilgrimage-bath with sankalpa, then gift a Śālagrāma (or Viṣṇu-pratima/śālagrāma-sevā support where appropriate) to a worthy recipient with purity of intent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tīrtha/kshetra (sacred bathing place)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana, Pretakalpa/Acāra sections on dāna-prāyaścitta and tīrtha-māhātmya (contextual); Garuda Purana passages praising Śālagrāma-sevā and Viṣṇu-dāna (contextual)
FAQs
This verse presents Śālagrāma-dāna, performed after bathing at a sacred place, as a powerful expiatory act capable of freeing one from even grave sins, because it is directly connected with Lord Viṣṇu.
In the Preta Kanda context, the text emphasizes prāyaścitta (atonement) and merit-producing acts—like tīrtha-snāna and dāna—that reduce karmic burden, supporting a smoother post-death journey by diminishing the weight of serious wrongdoing.
Undertake sincere ethical reform, and when following traditional practice, combine pilgrimage bathing with purposeful charity (dāna)—especially Viṣṇu-centered offerings—done with humility and accountability rather than as a mere transaction.