Shloka 87
The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya
हिमं च द्रवरूपेण तस्माद्गंगाधिकं विदुः । अश्वमेधसहस्राणां फलं फल्गुजलाप्लवात् ॥ ८७ ॥
himaṃ ca dravarūpeṇa tasmādgaṃgādhikaṃ viduḥ | aśvamedhasahasrāṇāṃ phalaṃ phalgujalāplavāt || 87 ||
ഹിമത്തിന്റെ ദ്രവരൂപമായതിനാൽ ഫൽഗു ഗംഗയെക്കാളും ശ്രേഷ്ഠമെന്ന് അറിയപ്പെടുന്നു. ഫൽഗു ജലത്തിൽ മുങ്ങി സ്നാനം ചെയ്താൽ സഹസ്ര അശ്വമേധയാഗങ്ങളുടെ ഫലം ലഭിക്കുന്നു.
Narada (teaching the Sanatkumara brothers in a Tirtha-Mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates tīrtha-snāna (pilgrimage bathing) as a potent purifier: immersion in the Phalgu is praised as yielding immense puṇya, comparable to major Vedic sacrifices, emphasizing the transformative power of sacred places.
Though framed as tīrtha-mahātmya, the teaching supports bhakti by directing the devotee toward reverent contact with sacred waters and faith-filled practice (śraddhā in tīrthas), which traditionally accompanies remembrance of Hari and acts of worship during pilgrimage.
Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented conduct) is implied: the act of āplava/snāna at a tīrtha is presented as a dhārmic rite with defined spiritual results, using the Aśvamedha as a benchmark for ritual merit.