Shloka 75

Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

श्राद्धी कुमारधारायामश्वमेधफलं लभेत् / कुमारमभिगम्याथ नत्वा मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

śrāddhī kumāradhārāyāmaśvamedhaphalaṃ labhet / kumāramabhigamyātha natvā muktimavāpnuyāt

Translation

One who performs śrāddha at Kumāradhārā attains merit equal to that of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. Having approached Kumāra (Skanda) and offered reverent salutations, one then attains liberation (mokṣa).

Word by Word

• श्राद्धी: a performer of śrāddha rites
• श्राद्धी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• कुमारधारायाम्: in the stream (tīrtha) called Kumāradhārā
• कुमारधारायाम्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमार-धारा (प्रातिपदिक; कुमार + धारा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कुमारस्य धारा)

• अश्वमेधफलम्: the fruit of the Aśvamedha
• अश्वमेधफलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वमेध-फल (प्रातिपदिक; अश्वमेध + फल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• लभेत्: would obtain
• लभेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• कुमारम्: Kumāra (Skanda)
• कुमारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• अभिगम्य: having approached
• अभिगम्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-√गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Anukrama (Sequencer)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक अव्यय (adverb/conjunction: then/thereupon)

• नत्वा: having bowed
• नत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive)

• मुक्तिम्: liberation
• मुक्तिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• अवाप्नुयात्: would attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Moksha

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Śrāddha performed at Kumāradhārā on prescribed tithi/pitṛ-kāla; followed by deity-approach and namaskāra

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual merit (śrāddha at tīrtha) is elevated and consummated by devotion and surrender (abhigamana, namaskāra) leading to liberation.

Vedantic Theme: Grace (anugraha) and bhakti as transcending mere karma-phala; movement from svarga-like merit to mokṣa.

Application: Perform duties (including ancestral remembrance) but orient the heart toward surrender and reverence; integrate daily namaskāra and remembrance of the chosen deity as a mokṣa-directed practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tīrtha-stream/river (dhārā) and deity-sanctified site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.83.75 (śrāddha at Kumāradhārā gives aśvamedha fruit; namaskāra to Kumāra gives mokṣa); Garuda Purana broader emphasis on nāma-smaraṇa and devotion as liberating (general internal thematic link)

Characters & Entities

• Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• Kumāradhārā
• Aśvamedha
• Śrāddha

FAQs

What is the importance of performing śrāddha at Kumāradhārā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that śrāddha performed at Kumāradhārā yields merit equal to the Aśvamedha, highlighting the tirtha’s exceptional efficacy for ancestral rites.

How does this verse explain the path toward liberation (mokṣa)?

It links ritual piety (śrāddha) with devotional reverence—approaching and bowing to Kumāra—culminating in mokṣa, indicating that sacred action and devotion together support liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform śrāddha with sincerity at a sacred place when possible, and pair ritual observance with humble devotion (namaskāra) and ethical living as a mokṣa-oriented discipline.