Adhyaya 26
Vyāsa describes a sacred economy of merit centered on a Viṣṇu-linked tīrtha associated with Dvāravatī. The chapter opens by declaring that Mārkaṇḍeya has “opened the gate of heaven,” and that those who relinquish the body with the aim of attaining Viṣṇu reach His proximity, attaining sāyujya. It then sets forth disciplines of self-restraint—above all fasting (anāśana/upavāsa)—as exceptionally powerful tapas. Bathing at the tīrtha, worshiping Keśava, and performing śrāddha with piṇḍa and water-offerings are praised as rites that satisfy the ancestors for a long duration measured on a cosmic scale. Because Hari is said to be “present there,” the tīrtha is proclaimed a remover of sin and a complete bestower of aims: liberation for seekers of mokṣa, wealth for those seeking prosperity, and longevity and happiness for devotees. Finally, gifts made there in faith are declared imperishable (akṣaya), and the fruits of great sacrifices, charities, and austerities are equated with what is gained by merely bathing at this place—even by socially humble yet devoted practitioners—thus emphasizing both accessibility and divinely grounded efficacy.
Shlokas
Verse 1
व्यास उवाच । मार्कंडेयोद्धाटितं वै स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम् । तत्र ये देहसंत्यागं कुर्वंति फलकांक्षया
Vyāsa said: Truly, the gate of heaven—opened by Mārkaṇḍeya—stands unbarred. Those who there relinquish the body, seeking the promised fruit—
Verse 2
लभंते तत्फलं ह्यंते विष्णोः सायुज्यमाप्नुयुः । अतः किं बहुनोक्तेन द्वारवत्यां सदा नरैः
At life’s end they obtain that fruit, indeed attaining sāyujya—union with Viṣṇu. Therefore, what need is there to say more? At Dvārāvatī, people should ever seek this.
Verse 3
देहत्यागः प्रकर्तव्यो विष्णोर्लोकजिगीषया । अनाशके जले वाग्नौ ये च संति नरोत्तमाः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्ता यांति विष्णोः पुरीं सदा
The relinquishing of the body is to be undertaken with the aim of reaching Viṣṇu’s realm. Those best of men who are there—whether in unfailing waters or in fire—freed from all sins, always go to the city of Viṣṇu.
Verse 4
अन्योपि व्याधिरहितो गच्छेदनशनं तु यः । सर्वपाप विनिर्मुक्तो याति विष्णोः पुरीं नरः
Even another man, free from illness, who goes forth to observe fasting, is released from all sins and attains the city of Viṣṇu.
Verse 5
शतवर्षसहस्राणां वसेदंते दिवि द्विजः । ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परं नास्ति पवित्रं पावनं भुवि
A twice-born man may dwell in heaven for tens of thousands of centuries; yet on earth there is nothing more purifying and sanctifying than the Brāhmaṇas.
Verse 6
उपवासै स्तथा तुल्यं तपः कर्म्म न विद्यते । नास्ति वेदात्परं शास्त्रं नास्ति मातृसमो गुरु
No act of austerity is found equal to fasting; no scripture is higher than the Veda; and no teacher is equal to one’s mother.
Verse 7
न धर्मात्परमस्तीह तपो नानशनात्परम् । स्नात्वा यः कुरुते ऽत्रापि श्राद्धं पिंडोदकक्रियाम्
Here, nothing is higher than dharma, and no austerity is higher than fasting. And whoever bathes here and performs Śrāddha—offering piṇḍa and water rites—gains great merit.
Verse 8
तृप्यंति पितरस्तस्य यावद्ब्रह्मदिवानिशम् । तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा केशवं यस्तु पूजयेत्
His ancestors are satisfied for as long as a ‘day and night of Brahmā’. And the man who bathes at that tīrtha and worships Keśava there wins that enduring benefit.
Verse 9
स मुक्तपातकैः सर्वेर्विष्णुलोकमवाप्नुयात् । तीर्थानामुत्तमं तीर्थं यत्र संनिहितो हरिः
Freed from all sins, he attains Viṣṇu’s world. This is the supreme tīrtha among tīrthas—where Hari himself is present.
Verse 10
हरते सकलं पापं तस्मिंस्तीर्थे स्थितस्य सः । मुक्तिदं मोक्षकामानां धनदं च धनार्थिनाम् । आयुर्दं सुखद चैव सर्वकामफलप्रदम्
For one who stays at that tīrtha, He removes all sin. He grants mokṣa to those who seek release, wealth to those who seek wealth, long life and happiness as well—bestowing the fruits of every righteous desire.
Verse 11
किमन्येनात्र तीर्थेन यत्र देवो जनार्द्दनः । स्वयं वसति नित्यं हि सर्वेषामनुकम्पया
What need is there here for any other tīrtha, when the god Janārdana himself dwells here eternally, out of compassion for all?
Verse 12
तत्र यद्दीयते किचिद्दानं श्रद्धासमन्वितम् । अक्षयं तद्भवेत्सर्वमिह लोके परत्र च
Whatever charity is given there with faith becomes imperishable, bearing unfailing results both in this world and in the next.
Verse 13
यज्ञैर्दानैस्तपो भिश्च यत्फलं प्राप्यते बुधैः । तदत्र स्नानमात्रेण शूद्रैरपि सुसेवकैः
The fruit that the wise obtain through yajñas, gifts, and austerities—here that same fruit is gained merely by bathing, even by Śūdras who serve with sincerity.
Verse 14
तत्र श्राद्धं च यः कुर्यादेकादश्यामुपोषितः । स पितॄनुद्धरे त्सर्वान्नरकेभ्यो न संशयः
Whoever, having fasted on Ekādaśī, performs Śrāddha in that sacred place—he surely delivers all his ancestors from the hell-realms; of this there is no doubt.
Verse 15
अक्षय्यां तृप्तिमाप्नोति परमात्मा जनार्द्दनः । दीयतेऽत्र यदुद्दिश्य तदक्षय्यमुदाहृतम्
Here, the Supreme Self—Janārdana—attains inexhaustible satisfaction. Whatever is given here with sacred intention is therefore declared to be ‘akṣayya’ (undiminishing).