Shloka 31
श्रुत्वाब्रवीद्धरेर्ब्रह्मा व्यासं दक्षादिसंयुतम् / एतान्युक्त्वा च तीर्थानि पुन स्तीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम् / गयाख्यं प्राह सर्वेषामक्षयं ब्रह्मलोकदम्
śrutvābravīddharerbrahmā vyāsaṃ dakṣādisaṃyutam / etānyuktvā ca tīrthāni puna stīrthottamottamam / gayākhyaṃ prāha sarveṣāmakṣayaṃ brahmalokadam
അത് കേട്ട് ബ്രഹ്മാവ് ദക്ഷാദികളോടൊപ്പം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന വ്യാസനോട് പറഞ്ഞു. ഈ തീർത്ഥങ്ങളെ വിവരിച്ച ശേഷം, വീണ്ടും തീർത്ഥോത്തമമായ ‘ഗയാ’യെ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു—എല്ലാവർക്കും അക്ഷയപുണ്യം നല്കി ബ്രഹ്മലോകം പ്രദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നതെന്ന്।
Narrative attribution: Brahmā (addressing Vyāsa, with Dakṣa and others present).
Concept: Tīrtha-sevā and śraddhā in sacred geography yield akṣaya merit and higher loka attainment.
Vedantic Theme: Sādhana through sattvika karma leading to loka-bhoga; implicit hierarchy of means (tīrtha as purifier) preparing for higher realization.
Application: Undertake pilgrimage with faith, prioritize Gayā among tīrthas, and perform prescribed acts there with purity and intention.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha/kṣetra (pilgrimage field)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.82 (Gayā-māhātmya commencement); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on śrāddha/phala (general linkage)
FAQs
This verse elevates Gayā as the ‘tīrthottamottama’—the foremost among holy places—said to grant imperishable (akṣaya) merit and the fruit of Brahma-loka.
By praising Gayā as supremely merit-giving, the text supports the broader Purāṇic practice of performing pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites) at Gayā, where offerings are traditionally believed to yield enduring spiritual benefit.
Treat sacred duty (dharma) and remembrance of ancestors as purposeful acts: if pilgrimage is not possible, perform śrāddha with sincerity, charity, and ethical living—aiming for ‘akṣaya’ merit through consistent right conduct.