Shloka 71
Haristuti-saṅgraha: Devatā–Ṛṣi Praṇāma, Nāma-māhātmya, and Vairāgya from Deha-āsakti
विश्वामित्र उवाच / न ध्याते चरणांबुजे भगवतो संध्यापि नानुष्ठिता ज्ञानद्वारकपाटपाटनपटुर्धर्मोपिनोपार्जितः / अन्तर्व्याफमलाभिघातकरणे पट्वी श्रुता ते कथा नो देव श्रवणेन पाहि भगवन्मामत्रितुल्यं सदा
viśvāmitra uvāca / na dhyāte caraṇāṃbuje bhagavato saṃdhyāpi nānuṣṭhitā jñānadvārakapāṭapāṭanapaṭurdharmopinopārjitaḥ / antarvyāphamalābhighātakaraṇe paṭvī śrutā te kathā no deva śravaṇena pāhi bhagavanmāmatritulyaṃ sadā
Viśvāmitra sprach: Ich habe nicht über die Lotosfüße des Herrn meditiert; nicht einmal die tägliche Sandhyā habe ich vollzogen. Auch habe ich jene Dharma nicht erworben, die kundig ist, das verriegelte Tor wahrer Erkenntnis aufzubrechen. Doch ich habe deine heilige Rede vernommen, die die Unreinheiten, welche das Innere durchdringen, zu zerschlagen vermag. O Deva — durch dieses Hören selbst beschütze mich, o Bhagavān, und mache mich immerdar wie Atri, den großen Weisen.
Sage Vishvamitra
Concept: Śravaṇa of Bhagavat-kathā can cleanse inner impurities and become a saving grace even when formal practices (dhyāna, sandhyā, dharma-sādhana) are lacking.
Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a prerequisite for jñāna; grace (anugraha) accessed through bhakti—especially śravaṇa—overcoming adhikāra-deficiency.
Application: Commit to daily hearing/reading of Hari-kathā (even brief), pair it with repentance and a concrete vow to restore neglected nitya-karma (e.g., sandhyā), and cultivate humility rather than spiritual pride.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): bhakti through nāma/śravaṇa praised in devotional sections; kathā as purifier motif recurring in stotra contexts
FAQs
This verse states that merely hearing the Lord’s kathā can strike down inner impurities, becoming a direct means of spiritual protection even when one’s ritual practice and merits are lacking.
It emphasizes inner cleansing as essential preparation: purification through devotion and listening to sacred teaching supports the jīva’s onward journey by reducing inner defilements that obstruct Dharma and knowledge.
Maintain daily discipline (like Sandhyā if applicable), but also prioritize regular listening/reading of purāṇic and dharmic teachings, using śravaṇa as a steady practice for inner purification and ethical resolve.