Shloka 42
Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode
दुर्लभा पुत्रसंप्राप्तिर्दुर्लभं पौष्करं जलम् । दुर्लभः शिष्टसंसर्गो दुर्लभा भक्तिरुच्यते ॥ ४२ ॥
durlabhā putrasaṃprāptirdurlabhaṃ pauṣkaraṃ jalam | durlabhaḥ śiṣṭasaṃsargo durlabhā bhaktirucyate || 42 ||
Rare is the attainment of a worthy son; rare is the holy water of Puṣkara. Rare is the company of the truly cultured and virtuous; and rare indeed is devotion (bhakti), it is said.
Narada (instructional puranic narration; speaker traditionally aligned with Narada–Sanatkumara discourse style)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It ranks four blessings as truly hard to obtain—worthy progeny, sacred Puṣkara water, the company of the virtuous (śiṣṭa-satsanga), and genuine bhakti—highlighting that devotion and right association are among the highest spiritual fortunes.
By calling bhakti “rare,” the verse implies it arises through great merit and purification—often supported by tīrtha-sevā (holy places like Puṣkara) and śiṣṭa-saṃsarga (satsanga), which cultivate devotion and steady dharma.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharmic discipline through tīrtha-related practice (snāna, pilgrimage observance) and satsanga, which function as applied purāṇic guidance.