Shloka 77
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
हस्ताष्टकं तत्प्रमाणं वदन्ति तत्र स्नानं वैष्णवैः कार्यमेव / तत्र स्नात्वा प्रयतो वै मुरारेः कथां दिव्यां शृणुयादादरेण / स्नानं पानं तत्र दानं च कुर्याल्लक्ष्मीनृसिंहप्रीयते देवि नित्यम्३,२६।७६ // बदरीफलमात्रं च वर्तुलं बिन्दुसंयुतम्
hastāṣṭakaṃ tatpramāṇaṃ vadanti tatra snānaṃ vaiṣṇavaiḥ kāryameva / tatra snātvā prayato vai murāreḥ kathāṃ divyāṃ śṛṇuyādādareṇa / snānaṃ pānaṃ tatra dānaṃ ca kuryāllakṣmīnṛsiṃhaprīyate devi nityam3,26.76 // badarīphalamātraṃ ca vartulaṃ bindusaṃyutam
ಅದರ ಪ್ರಮಾಣ ಎಂಟು ಕೈಗಳೆಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ; ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವೈಷ್ಣವರು ನಿಶ್ಚಯವಾಗಿ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಲೇಬೇಕು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಯಮದಿಂದ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿ ಮುರಾರಿ (ಶ್ರೀವಿಷ್ಣು)ಯ ದಿವ್ಯಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಭಕ್ತಿಶ್ರದ್ಧೆಯಿಂದ ಕೇಳಬೇಕು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನ, ತೀರ್ಥಜಲಪಾನ ಮತ್ತು ದಾನವೂ ಮಾಡಲಿ; ಹೇ ದೇವಿ, ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ-ನೃಸಿಂಹನು ನಿತ್ಯ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. (ಮುಂದೆ) ‘ಬದರಿ ಫಲದಷ್ಟು, ವೃತ್ತಾಕಾರ, ಬಿಂದುಯುಕ್ತ…’
Lord Vishnu (to Garuda; ‘devi’ suggests a quoted/preserved reading—treated here as Vishnu’s instruction in the narrative style)
Concept: Tīrtha-sevā (snāna–pāna–dāna) joined with attentive śravaṇa of Hari-kathā pleases the Lord and yields auspicious results.
Vedantic Theme: Bhakti supported by karma (ritual action) as a purifier of antaḥkaraṇa; śravaṇa as a primary limb leading toward liberation-oriented devotion.
Application: Visit a Viṣṇu-tīrtha with self-restraint; bathe, sip sanctified water as appropriate, give charity, and listen/read Viṣṇu/Nṛsiṃha-kathā with focused attention.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha/kshetra (implied)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.78-81 (marks of the deity/stone; merit of donating the image); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on śravaṇa, dāna, and tīrtha-merit (general thematic linkage)
FAQs
The verse frames holy bathing as a required Vaiṣṇava practice, meant to purify the practitioner and prepare them for devotional hearing (Hari-kathā) and charity.
It links external acts—bathing, drinking sacred water, and giving charity—with inner devotion—listening reverently to Vishnu’s divine narration—presenting them as a unified spiritual discipline.
Combine cleanliness and restraint with devotional study/listening (Vishnu-kathā) and regular charity; treat pilgrimages or temple visits as occasions for both worship and ethical generosity.