Shloka 49
The Greatness of Kāśī (Avimukta): Pilgrimage Calendar, Yātrā-Dharma, and the Network of Śiva-Liṅgas
लभते देहभेदेन गणत्वं चातिदुर्लभम् । अस्मिन्नेव प्रदेशे तु गावो वै ब्रह्मणा स्वयम् ॥ ४९ ॥
labhate dehabhedena gaṇatvaṃ cātidurlabham | asminneva pradeśe tu gāvo vai brahmaṇā svayam || 49 ||
Durch das Ablegen des Körpers erlangt man den überaus seltenen Stand, zu einer göttlichen Schar (gaṇa) zu gehören. Ja, in eben dieser Gegend wurden die Kühe von Brahmā selbst eingesetzt.
Suta (narrating the kshetra-mahatmya to the assembled sages)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It links the merit of a specific sacred region (kshetra) with an exalted post-mortem destiny—attaining gaṇatva (membership among divine attendant-hosts)—and sanctifies the place further by stating that Brahmā himself established the cows there.
In a kshetra-mahatmya setting, the verse implies that reverence to sacred places and their sanctities (such as honoring cows) supports devotional living; such dharmic devotion is presented as yielding rare spiritual attainments beyond ordinary worldly goals.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharma in a tirtha context—go-sevā (care of cows), kshetra-reverence, and performing meritorious acts believed to shape one’s gati (post-death outcome).