Shloka 81
The Greatness of Gayā
Gayā-Māhātmya
फल्गुतीर्थं च विख्यातं बहुमुलफलान्वितम् । कौशिकी च नदी यत्र श्राद्धं तत्राक्षयं स्मृतम् ॥ ८१ ॥
phalgutīrthaṃ ca vikhyātaṃ bahumulaphalānvitam | kauśikī ca nadī yatra śrāddhaṃ tatrākṣayaṃ smṛtam || 81 ||
ફલ્ગુતીર્થ પ્રસિદ્ધ છે, અનેક કંદમૂળ અને ફળોથી સમૃદ્ધ છે. જ્યાં કૌશિકી નદી વહે છે, ત્યાં કરેલું શ્રાદ્ધ અક્ષય ફળદાયક કહેવાય છે.
Narada (in dialogue tradition with the Sanatkumara brothers; Uttara-Bhaga tirtha narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It declares Phalgutirtha and the Kausiki river-region as a potent tirtha where ancestral rites (Śrāddha) generate akṣaya—imperishable, inexhaustible—spiritual merit, emphasizing the purifying power of place in dharmic practice.
Though centered on Śrāddha, it supports bhakti-oriented dharma by honoring lineage and the Pitṛs as part of a life aligned with sacred order; pilgrimage and ritual performed with faith are presented as enduring offerings, compatible with Vishnu-bhakti culture of the Purana.
It highlights ritual application (kalpa/śrauta-smārta practice) through the rule that performing Śrāddha at a specific tirtha yields akṣaya-phala—practical guidance on where rites are especially efficacious.