Shloka 48
Kāśī-māhātmya: Avimukta Gaṅgā and the Pañcanada Tīrtha
गुरुशुश्रूषवे दत्वा तीर्थास्नानफलं लभेत् । शठाय निंदकायापि गोविप्रसुरविद्विषे । गुरुद्रुहेऽसूयकाय दत्वा मृत्युमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ४८ ॥
guruśuśrūṣave datvā tīrthāsnānaphalaṃ labhet | śaṭhāya niṃdakāyāpi goviprasuravidviṣe | gurudruhe'sūyakāya datvā mṛtyumavāpnuyāt || 48 ||
Wer einem gibt, der sich dem Dienst am Guru widmet, erlangt den Verdienst eines Bades in heiligen Tīrthas. Wer aber einem Betrüger, einem Verleumder, einem Hasser von Kühen, Brāhmaṇas und Göttern, oder einem, der den Guru verrät und von Neid erfüllt ist, gibt, zieht einen schweren Sturz herbei, gleich dem Tod.
Suta (narrating Narada Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya teachings)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that the fruit of sacred practices depends on discernment (viveka): giving to a worthy, guru-devoted recipient yields tīrtha-like merit, while supporting hostile and unethical people becomes spiritually destructive.
Bhakti is grounded in reverence and service—especially guru-sevā and honoring dharmic pillars like cows and brāhmaṇas. Charity aligned with these values supports devotion; charity that empowers envy and guru-betrayal undermines it.
Ritual discernment (a practical dharma-application often guided by Kalpa/Smṛti principles) is emphasized: dāna is not merely an act, but a correctly directed ritual ethic where the recipient’s eligibility determines the result.