Shloka 44
Viṣṇv-ekapūjya-nirṇaya; Gaṅgā-Viṣṇupadī-māhātmya; Kali-yuga doṣa; Puṣkara-dharma of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa
यस्मिन् गृहे देवमहोत्सवश्च यस्मिन् गृहे श्रवणं नास्ति विष्णोः / तत्संसर्गाद्याति दुः खादिकं च तस्य स्पर्शो नैव कार्यः कदापि
yasmin gṛhe devamahotsavaśca yasmin gṛhe śravaṇaṃ nāsti viṣṇoḥ / tatsaṃsargādyāti duḥ khādikaṃ ca tasya sparśo naiva kāryaḥ kadāpi
ヴィシュヌの聖なる聴聞がない家は—たとえ神々の大祭を催していようとも—それと交われば苦しみなどを招く。ゆえに、いかなる時もそのような場所に触れ、関わってはならない。
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Śravaṇa of Viṣṇu is essential; mere external festivals without Viṣṇu-kathā can lead to duḥkha through wrong association (asat-saṅga).
Vedantic Theme: Saṅga shapes vāsanā; sattva grows by śravaṇa-kīrtana, while hollow ritualism without right orientation reinforces avidyā.
Application: Choose communities and gatherings where genuine scriptural listening and devotion are present; practice discernment in social/spiritual associations.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: domestic/communal gathering place
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: emphasis on Viṣṇu-bhakti as supreme purifier (thematic); Garuda Purana: warnings about asat-saṅga and fruitless ritualism (thematic)
FAQs
This verse treats listening to Viṣṇu’s names and teachings as the defining spiritual marker of a wholesome household; without it, even outwardly “religious” celebration is considered empty and leads to suffering through association.
Preta Kanda repeatedly emphasizes remembrance of Viṣṇu and dharmic company as supports for the jīva; the verse warns that environments lacking Viṣṇu-kathā undermine spiritual merit and can contribute to distress rather than protection.
Prioritize satsanga and regular Viṣṇu-kathā (reading, chanting, or listening) at home, and avoid close involvement with settings that mock or exclude spiritual hearing, even if they appear festive or socially prestigious.