Shloka 97
Puruṣottama-māhātmya
The Greatness of Puruṣottama Kṣetra
स्नानं कृष्णस्य हलिनः सर्वयात्राफलं तथा । वर्णनं विष्णुलोकस्य क्षेत्रस्य च पुनः स्वयम् । पूर्वं कथितवांस्तथ्यं तस्यै स पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ९७ ॥
snānaṃ kṛṣṇasya halinaḥ sarvayātrāphalaṃ tathā | varṇanaṃ viṣṇulokasya kṣetrasya ca punaḥ svayam | pūrvaṃ kathitavāṃstathyaṃ tasyai sa puruṣottamaḥ || 97 ||
Then the Supreme Person, Puruṣottama, personally told her again the true account—of the sacred bathing of Kṛṣṇa and Halin (Balarāma), the merit equal to the fruit of all pilgrimages, and the description of the holy region called Viṣṇuloka.
Narada (narrating within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya dialogue, describing Puruṣottama’s instruction)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It elevates a specific sacred act—snāna connected with Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—and the Viṣṇuloka-kṣetra narrative as a concentrated source of punya, described as equivalent to the fruit of all pilgrimages.
Bhakti is expressed through reverent engagement with the Lord’s sacred geography and deeds—listening to (varṇana) and participating in sanctifying practices (snāna) centered on Puruṣottama.
Ritual practice is implied through tīrtha-snānā (a dharmic rite); while no specific Vedāṅga is named, the verse reflects kalpa-oriented practice—how prescribed acts yield defined yātrā-phala (pilgrimage merit).