Shloka 25
Saptasārasvata-tīrtha-prasaṅgaḥ | The Saptasārasvata Pilgrimage Account and the Maṅkaṇaka Narrative
ततस्तीर्थ सरस्वत्या: पावन लोकविश्रुतम् । तस्मिंश्व॒ यदुशार्दूलो दत्त्वा तीर्थे पयस्विनी:
tatas tīrthaṃ sarasvatyāḥ pāvanaṃ lokaviśrutam | tasmiṃś ca yaduśārdūlo dattvā tīrthe payasvinīḥ | tāmra-loha-mayāni pātrāṇi nānā-vidhāni ca vāsāṃsi brāhmaṇebhyo dadau | brāhmaṇān pūjayitvā sa svayam api tapasvibhir munibhiḥ pūjitaḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。ついで彼は、浄化の力ゆえに世に名高いサラスヴァティー河の聖なる渡し場（ティールタ）に至った。そこにおいて、ヤドゥ族の虎たるバララーマはその聖地で布施を行い、乳を出す牝牛を施し、さらに銅と鉄の器、さまざまな衣を婆羅門たちに与えた。婆羅門を敬って供養したのち、彼自身もまた苦行に富む仙人たちに敬われた。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma through dāna and reverence: giving valuable gifts (cows, utensils, clothing) to brāhmaṇas at a tīrtha and honoring them is presented as a purifying, socially sustaining act; the giver also becomes worthy of honor, showing that ethical generosity and respect for spiritual learning elevate both community and individual.
Narratively, Balarāma arrives at a famous purifying tīrtha on the Sarasvatī during his travels, performs charitable donations to brāhmaṇas, and after honoring them, he is himself honored by ascetic sages—marking a moment of pilgrimage, ritual generosity, and mutual recognition.