Shloka 51
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
तेषां पुण्यं नैव जानन्ति देवा जानात्येवं श्रीनिवासो हरिस्तु / शालग्रामं वायुतीर्थे ददन्ते तेषां पुण्यं वेत्ति स व्यङ्कटेशः
teṣāṃ puṇyaṃ naiva jānanti devā jānātyevaṃ śrīnivāso haristu / śālagrāmaṃ vāyutīrthe dadante teṣāṃ puṇyaṃ vetti sa vyaṅkaṭeśaḥ
त्यांचे पुण्य देवांनाही यथार्थपणे कळत नाही; तसे श्रीनिवास हरि एकटाच जाणतो। जे वायुतिर्थी शालग्राम दान करतात, त्यांचे पुण्य तोच व्यंकटेश पूर्णपणे जाणतो।
Lord Vishnu (Śrīnivāsa) speaking to Garuda (Vinata-putra)
Concept: The true measure of devotional merit is known fully only to Hari; offering Śālagrāma at a sacred tīrtha is a profound act of devotion.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as sarvajña (all-knowing) and karmaphala-dātā; bhakti as a direct means of grace beyond worldly appraisal.
Application: Perform offerings with humility and without seeking social validation; cultivate trust that the Lord knows and receives sincere devotion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tīrtha (pilgrimage ford/shrine)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.52-55 (rarity and merit of Vāyu-tīrtha bath, Bhāgavata-śravaṇa, Śālagrāma-dāna, mūrti-dāna)
FAQs
This verse states that the spiritual merit of offering a Śālagrāma is so profound that even the devas cannot measure it; only Lord Hari (Śrīnivāsa/Veṅkaṭeśa) fully knows its fruit.
It emphasizes that the results of righteous acts—especially sacred gifting tied to Viṣṇu and tīrthas—can be subtle and beyond ordinary cosmic accounting, known completely only to the Supreme Lord.
Perform charity and worship with humility—especially Viṣṇu-centered devotion and tīrtha-related offerings—without seeking validation, trusting that the true spiritual fruit is known and preserved by the Divine.