Shloka 4
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
श्रुत्वा गयाया माहात्म्यं पितॄणां गतिदं परम् । भूयः पप्रच्छ किं विप्रं वसुं वेदविदांवरम् ॥ ४ ॥
śrutvā gayāyā māhātmyaṃ pitṝṇāṃ gatidaṃ param | bhūyaḥ papraccha kiṃ vipraṃ vasuṃ vedavidāṃvaram || 4 ||
Après avoir entendu la grandeur suprême de Gayā, qui accorde aux pitṛs (ancêtres) leur voie la plus haute, il interrogea de nouveau le brāhmane Vasu, le premier parmi les connaisseurs des Veda.
Narrator (Suta-style narration describing the inquirer addressing Vasu)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames Gayā as a supreme tīrtha whose rites are believed to grant the Pitṛs an elevated destiny (gati), and it advances the dialogue by prompting further instruction on what should be done there.
Indirectly: it shows reverent hearing (śravaṇa) of a tīrtha’s māhātmya and humble inquiry to a Veda-knower—both supportive attitudes for devotional practice, especially when performing Pitṛ-related rites with faith.
The verse emphasizes reliance on a qualified Veda-knower (vedavid-vara) for correct ritual understanding—pointing toward practical application of Kalpa (ritual procedure) and related disciplines for performing Śrāddha/tarpaṇa at a tīrtha.