Shloka 76
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
दशाश्वमेधिकं पुण्यं पुष्पदाने प्रकीर्तितम् । अग्निहोत्रफलं धृपे गन्धे भूदानजं फलम् ॥ ७६ ॥
daśāśvamedhikaṃ puṇyaṃ puṣpadāne prakīrtitam | agnihotraphalaṃ dhṛpe gandhe bhūdānajaṃ phalam || 76 ||
It is proclaimed that the offering of flowers yields merit equal to ten Aśvamedha sacrifices. The offering of incense grants the fruit of the Agnihotra rite, and the offering of fragrance bestows the fruit that arises from gifting land.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
The verse elevates simple pūjā-offerings (flowers, incense, fragrance) by equating them with major Vedic rites and great gifts, teaching that sincere devotional giving can generate immense puṇya even without elaborate sacrifices.
By praising accessible offerings used in worship, it supports bhakti-oriented practice: devotion expressed through pūjā and dāna can yield results traditionally associated with large yajñas, emphasizing intent and reverence over scale.
Ritual procedure (Kalpa) is implied: the verse maps specific upacāras—puṣpa, dhūpa, gandha—to recognized Vedic fruits (Aśvamedha, Agnihotra, bhū-dāna), guiding practitioners in the ritual logic of equivalences.