Shloka 31
Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya
पदेपदेऽश्वमेधस्य स्यात्फलं गच्छतो गयाम् । बलीवर्दसमारूढस्तीर्थं यो याति सुव्रते ॥ ३१ ॥
padepade'śvamedhasya syātphalaṃ gacchato gayām | balīvardasamārūḍhastīrthaṃ yo yāti suvrate || 31 ||
O Tugendhafter, bei jedem Schritt dessen, der nach Gayā geht, entsteht der Verdienst eines Aśvamedha; und auch wer auf einem Stier (balīvarda) zum tīrtha gelangt, erlangt denselben Verdienst.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates Gayā-yātrā as a supreme tīrtha-practice by stating that each step toward Gayā yields merit comparable to the Aśvamedha, emphasizing the extraordinary sanctity of the place and the power of pilgrimage-intent (saṅkalpa).
By glorifying the journey itself, the verse highlights devotional movement toward a sacred kṣetra—going with faith and vow (suvrata)—where reverence for tīrthas becomes an expression of bhakti through action (kriyā-bhakti).
Ritual-principle (kalpa-oriented practice) is implied: tīrtha-yātrā is treated as a dharmic act producing defined phala (merit), comparable to a major śrauta rite (Aśvamedha), guiding how pilgrimage is valued within Vedic ritual logic.