Shloka 33
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
तेषां स्थान ततो यातं तथाग्निष्टोमयाजिनाम् । अग्निष्ठतेन च तथा ये यजन्ति तपोधना:
teṣāṁ sthānaṁ tato yātaṁ tathāgniṣṭomayājinām | agniṣṭhatenā ca tathā ye yajanti tapodhanāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thereafter is described the destined realm of those who have performed the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice—likewise the realm attained by ascetics rich in austerity who worship through the Agniṣṭha rite as well. The passage underscores that disciplined ritual action, when undertaken with purity and restraint, is held to bear definite spiritual consequence and reward.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms a dharmic principle: disciplined sacrificial worship (yajña), especially when joined with austerity (tapas), is portrayed as producing a definite spiritual attainment—an appropriate ‘place’ or realm corresponding to one’s meritorious action.
Vaiśampāyana continues a descriptive account of posthumous attainments, indicating the realms reached by those who performed specific Vedic sacrifices—here, Agniṣṭoma and the Agniṣṭha rite—particularly by ascetics characterized as ‘rich in austerity’ (tapodhanāḥ).