Shloka 41
The Account of the Fruits of Bathing at Particular Sacred Places
Tīrtha-viśeṣa-snāna-phala
ततस्तु गांडवं तीर्थं गंडकी यत्र संगता । गोसहस्रस्य दानं च तत्र स्नानं समं द्वयम् ॥ ४१ ॥
tatastu gāṃḍavaṃ tīrthaṃ gaṃḍakī yatra saṃgatā | gosahasrasya dānaṃ ca tatra snānaṃ samaṃ dvayam || 41 ||
Dann folgt die heilige Tīrtha namens Gāṇḍava, wo der Fluss Gaṇḍakī (mit anderen Wassern) zusammenkommt. Es heißt, das Bad dort sei dem Verdienst nach gleich der Gabe von tausend Kühen—beides trägt dieselbe geistige Frucht.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It elevates Gāṇḍava Tīrtha on the Gaṇḍakī as a high-merit pilgrimage spot, stating that a simple ritual bath there can yield merit comparable to an exceptionally costly charity (donating a thousand cows).
While framed as tīrtha-māhātmya, it supports bhakti-oriented practice by emphasizing accessible sacred acts—reverent bathing at a holy confluence—as a potent offering, encouraging devotional pilgrimage and faith in dharmic observances.
Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented dharma) is implied: tīrtha-snānā (pilgrimage bathing) and dāna (charity) are compared through their phala (results), guiding practitioners in choosing meritorious rites.