Shloka 28
Pulastya’s Tīrtha Enumeration: Sarasvatī, Naimiṣa, Gayā, and Associated Phalaśruti
Chapter 82
जो वहाँ स्नान करता तथा देवताओं और पितरोंकी पूजामें संलग्न रहता है, उस पुरुषको अश्वमेधसे दस गुना फल प्राप्त होता है; ऐसा मनीषीगण कहते हैं ।। अप्येक॑ भोजयेद् विप्रं पुष्करारण्यमाश्रित: । तेनासौ कर्मणा भीष्म प्रेत्य चेह च मोदते,भीष्म! पुष्करमें जाकर कम-से-कम एक ब्राह्मणको अवश्य भोजन कराये। उस पुण्यकर्मसे मनुष्य इहलोक और परलोकमें भी आनन्दका भागी होता है
apy ekaṁ bhojayed vipraṁ puṣkarāraṇyam āśritaḥ | tenāsau karmaṇā bhīṣma pretya ceha ca modate ||
“Even if one feeds just a single brāhmaṇa while staying in the sacred forest of Puṣkara, that very act—O Bhīṣma—becomes a source of joy for him both here in this world and after death. Thus, a small offering performed at a powerful tīrtha yields enduring merit and well-being.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a modest act of charity—feeding just one brāhmaṇa—performed in a sacred context like Puṣkara is presented as highly meritorious, bringing happiness both in this life and after death; dharma is shown as accessible through sincere, concrete acts.
The speaker (Ghaulastya) instructs Bhīṣma while describing the spiritual efficacy of the Puṣkara tīrtha, emphasizing that simple ritual hospitality there yields lasting karmic reward.