Shloka 67
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
सुदुर्लभं तस्य मूर्तेश्च दानं तच्चन्द्रतीर्थे श्रवणं दुर्घटं च / सम्यक् स्वरूपं दधिवामनस्य सुदुर्घटं श्रवणं वैष्णवाच्च
sudurlabhaṃ tasya mūrteśca dānaṃ taccandratīrthe śravaṇaṃ durghaṭaṃ ca / samyak svarūpaṃ dadhivāmanasya sudurghaṭaṃ śravaṇaṃ vaiṣṇavācca
त्या मूर्तीचे दान करणे अत्यंत दुर्लभ आहे, आणि चंद्रतीर्थी त्याचे श्रवणही कठीण आहे. दधिवामनाचे यथार्थ स्वरूप नीट ऐकणे फारच दुष्कर—वैष्णव भक्ताकडूनही ते मिळणे दुर्लभच.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: True understanding of the deity’s form and the merit-bearing acts connected to it are rare; authentic knowledge is difficult to obtain and is best sought from a genuine Vaiṣṇava.
Vedantic Theme: Guru/parampara-mediated knowledge; śravaṇa as a limb of bhakti; pramāṇa of trustworthy testimony (āpta-vākya).
Application: Seek instruction from qualified devotees/teachers; prioritize correct understanding over hearsay; support sacred institutions through appropriate dana when possible.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha (sacred ford)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.66 (Dadhivamana’s rarity and auspiciousness); Garuda Purana 3.26.68-69 (snana and shravana at Candratirtha; continued Hari-bhajana)
FAQs
The verse teaches that both charitable giving to a sacred form and attentive hearing of sacred teaching—especially in a tīrtha—are rare merits, emphasizing disciplined devotion and right reception of dharma.
It highlights that correct understanding of subtle Vaiṣṇava doctrines and sacred forms is not easily obtained; it requires qualified instruction and devotional eligibility, ideally through a genuine Vaiṣṇava source.
Support authentic religious causes (dāna), seek learning through careful listening (śravaṇa) at trustworthy places/teachers, and prioritize guidance from practiced devotees rather than hearsay.