Shloka 61
Tīrtha-yātrā-varṇana
Description of Pilgrimage to the Sacred Fords
पंचषष्टिसमाः संध्या तेन चोपासिता भवेत् । पुरीं वाराणसीं तां तु श्मशानं चाविमुक्तकम् ॥ ६१ ॥
paṃcaṣaṣṭisamāḥ saṃdhyā tena copāsitā bhavet | purīṃ vārāṇasīṃ tāṃ tu śmaśānaṃ cāvimuktakam || 61 ||
അറുപത്തിയഞ്ചു വർഷം സന്ധ്യോപാസന ചെയ്തവന്റെ ഉപാസന സമ്യകമായി പൂർത്തിയായതായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. ആ നഗരമായ വാരാണസീ തന്നെയാണ് പുണ്യശ്മശാനഭൂമി ‘അവിമുക്തം’ എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധം.
Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage; Uttara-Bhaga tirtha narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It equates the extraordinary sanctity of Kāśī–Avimukta with immense lifelong religious merit, portraying residence/connection with Vārāṇasī as spiritually potent—linked with liberation-oriented tirtha glory.
By praising Avimukta (Kāśī) as uniquely sacred, it supports pilgrimage and sacred-place devotion as a bhakti-supported discipline—where reverence, worship, and surrender in a Vishnu–Shiva sacred geography intensify spiritual progress.
The verse highlights Sandhyā worship (Sandhyavandana)—a daily ritual discipline tied to Vedic practice (prayoga/kalpa in Vedanga context), emphasizing consistency and time-based observance.