Shloka 74
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
तत्र स्नात्वा भूवराहस्य मर्तेः शृणोति यो लक्षणं सम्यगेव / स तेन पुण्यं समुपैति देवि स मुक्तिभाङ् नात्र विचार्यमस्ति
tatra snātvā bhūvarāhasya marteḥ śṛṇoti yo lakṣaṇaṃ samyageva / sa tena puṇyaṃ samupaiti devi sa muktibhāṅ nātra vicāryamasti
हे देवि, जो तेथे स्नान करून भू-वराह तीर्थाचे यथार्थ लक्षण सम्यक ऐकतो, तो त्या कर्माने पुण्य प्राप्त करतो; तो मुक्तिभागी होतो—यात संशय नाही।
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda; vocative 'devi' indicates a preserved address in the recension)
Concept: Tīrtha-snāna plus correct śravaṇa of the kṣetra-māhātmya yields puṇya and grants eligibility for liberation.
Vedantic Theme: Purification of antaḥkaraṇa through śraddhā, śravaṇa, and sattva-śuddhi as proximate causes supporting mokṣa.
Application: Undertake pilgrimage with inner discipline: bathe as a vow of purification, then listen carefully to the teaching/tradition of the place; integrate the merit into sustained sādhana.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.73 (pūjā+dāna+śravaṇa+darśana); Garuda Purana 3.26.75 (Raudra tīrtha near Śrīnivāsa)
FAQs
This verse teaches that a tīrtha-bath combined with attentive listening to the site’s true glory (lakṣaṇa) is a complete religious act that yields puṇya and supports liberation.
It links moksha not only to austerity but also to tīrtha practice and śravaṇa—devotional, correct hearing of sacred narratives—declaring such a practitioner “muktibhāṅ” (eligible for liberation).
When visiting sacred places, pair external purity (bath/clean conduct) with inner practice—listen, study, and reflect on the teaching with accuracy and reverence rather than treating pilgrimage as mere tourism.