The Greatness of Gayā
Gayā-Māhātmya
मतंगस्य पदं तत्र दृश्यते सर्वमानुषैः । ख्यापितं धर्मसर्वस्वं लोकस्यैव निदर्शनात् ॥ ५७ ॥
mataṃgasya padaṃ tatra dṛśyate sarvamānuṣaiḥ | khyāpitaṃ dharmasarvasvaṃ lokasyaiva nidarśanāt || 57 ||
There, the sacred footprint (or holy site) of Matanga is visible to all people. By that very public sign, the very essence of Dharma is proclaimed to the world as an example.
Narada (as narrator within the Tirtha-Mahatmya discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
It teaches that a tirtha is not only sacred by scripture but also by living, visible reminders—here, Matanga’s ‘pada’—which publicly demonstrate and reinforce Dharma for all.
By pointing to a revered mark associated with a holy being, the verse supports bhakti through darśana (reverent seeing) and remembrance, where faith is strengthened by tangible sacred symbols at a tirtha.
It primarily reflects Dharma-śāstra style instruction rather than a specific Vedanga; practically, it emphasizes nidarśana (teaching by example) and tirtha-based sadācāra—how public sacred markers guide communal religious conduct.