Shloka 180
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
बदरीं भक्षयेत् तत्र त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नर: । सम्यग् द्वादशवर्षाणि बदरीं भक्षयेत् तु यः,अहोरात्रोपवासेन शक्रलोके महीयते । तदनन्तर बदरीपाचन नामसे प्रसिद्ध वसिष्ठके आश्रमपर जाय और वहाँ तीन रात उपवासपूर्वक रहकर बेरका फल खाय। जो मनुष्य वहाँ बारह वर्षोतक भलीभाँति त्रिरात्रोपवासपूर्वक बेरका फल खाता है, वह उन्हीं वसिष्ठके समान होता है। राजन! नरेश्वर! तीर्थसेवी मनुष्य रुद्रमार्गमें जाकर एक दिन-रात उपवास करे। इससे वह इन्द्रलोकमें प्रतिष्ठित होता है
badarīṁ bhakṣayet tatra trirātropoṣito naraḥ | samyag dvādaśavarṣāṇi badarīṁ bhakṣayet tu yaḥ, ahorātro'pavāsena śakraloke mahīyate |
Ghūlastya said: “There, a man should eat the fruit of the jujube (badarī) after observing a three-night fast. Whoever, in due and disciplined manner, lives on badarī for twelve years with such austerity attains an exalted state comparable to the merit of great ascetics. And one who undertakes a full day-and-night fast is honored in Śakra’s world (Indra’s heaven).”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that disciplined austerity—especially fasting and regulated living even with simple food—generates spiritual merit (puṇya). It stresses sustained self-control (samyak) and endurance (long-term practice) as ethically transformative, leading to honor in heavenly realms.
A speaker (Ghūlastya) describes the fruits of specific ascetic observances connected with a sacred locale: eating badarī after a three-night fast, and undertaking a full day-and-night fast. These practices are presented as part of tīrtha-related instruction, promising exalted status and residence in Indra’s world.