Shloka 12
Gayā-māhātmya: Gayāsura, Viṣṇu’s Establishment, and the Fruits of Śrāddha at Gayā
स्थिता विप्रास्तदा शप्ता गयायां ब्राह्मणास्ततः / मा भूत्त्रैपुरुषी विद्या मा भूत्त्रैपुरुषं धनम्
sthitā viprāstadā śaptā gayāyāṃ brāhmaṇāstataḥ / mā bhūttraipuruṣī vidyā mā bhūttraipuruṣaṃ dhanam
അപ്പോൾ ഗയയിൽ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന ബ്രാഹ്മണർ ശപിച്ചു—“ത്രൈപുരുഷീ വിധി-വിദ്യ ഉണ്ടാകരുത്; ത്രൈപുരുഷാർത്ഥ ധനവും ഉണ്ടാകരുത്.”
Narrator (within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context; exact sub-speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: At Gayā during pitṛ-kriyā seasons (implied; not specified in verse)
Concept: Misconduct in sacred duty can trigger severe karmic/social consequences—loss of ritual competence and intergenerational prosperity.
Vedantic Theme: Karma operates through both seen/unseen channels (dṛṣṭa/adṛṣṭa); speech-act (vāk) as potent when aligned with tapas/authority.
Application: Guard integrity in ritual roles; avoid actions that invite communal censure; prioritize long-term lineage welfare over short-term gain.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: tirtha/kṣetra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: emphasis on pitṛ-ṛṇa and continuity of śrāddha as sustaining lineage (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse highlights the idea that ritual knowledge and resources meant to support ancestral rites for three generations are spiritually consequential—so much so that their absence is framed as a curse, emphasizing the dharmic weight of Śrāddha obligations.
By explicitly locating the event at Gayā and mentioning Brahmins pronouncing a curse about traipuruṣa ritual-knowledge and wealth, the verse reinforces Gayā as a major tīrtha associated with pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites).
Maintain continuity of family dharma: learn the basics of Śrāddha/tarpaṇa (or support qualified priests), and set aside resources for ancestral remembrance and charity, especially during pitṛ-related observances.