Shloka 16
The Greatness of the Month of Māgha
Māgha-snāna, Harivāsara, and the Kāṣṭhīlā-Upākhyāna
माघस्नायी वरारोहे दुर्गतिं नैव पश्यति । तन्नास्ति पातकं यत्तु माघस्नानं न शोधयेत् ॥ १६ ॥
māghasnāyī varārohe durgatiṃ naiva paśyati | tannāsti pātakaṃ yattu māghasnānaṃ na śodhayet || 16 ||
ಓ ಸುಂದರಿಯೇ! ಮಾಘಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವವನು ದುರ್ಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಕಾಣುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಮಾಘಸ್ನಾನ ಶುದ್ಧಪಡಿಸದ ಪಾಪವೆಂಬುದು ಯಾವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: Māgha-snāna (Māgha-vrata context implied)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It declares Māgha-snāna as a powerful purificatory vrata: it prevents durgati (a fallen or miserable destiny) and cleanses even serious pātakas, emphasizing the transformative merit (puṇya) of sacred-month observance.
By praising a vrata tied to sacred time, it supports bhakti through disciplined practice—purification of sin removes obstacles to remembrance and worship, making the devotee fit for sustained devotion and tīrtha-centered Vishnu-oriented piety.
Kalpa (ritual discipline) and Jyotiṣa (sacred calendrical timing) are implied: the merit is linked specifically to the Māgha month and the regulated act of snāna as a vrata performed at the proper time.