Shloka 68
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
आप गा नाम विख्याता नदी सिद्धनिषेविता । श्यामाकं भोजने तत्र यः प्रयच्छति मानव:
Āpagā nāma vikhyātā nadī siddhaniṣevitā | śyāmākaṁ bhojane tatra yaḥ prayacchati mānavaḥ ||
“There is a renowned river called Āpagā, frequented by perfected sages. There, the man who offers śyāmāka grains as food (to the worthy) gains merit in that sacred setting.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Simple, sattvic giving—such as offering humble grains like śyāmāka—performed in a sanctified place associated with holy beings is presented as a potent form of dāna that generates spiritual merit.
The speaker points out a famous sacred river, Āpagā, known to be frequented by siddhas, and highlights the religious value of feeding others there with simple food, indicating the tirtha’s merit and the virtue of charitable offering.