Shloka 9
The Greatness of the Month of Māgha
Māgha-snāna, Harivāsara, and the Kāṣṭhīlā-Upākhyāna
दुर्लभो वासरो विष्णोर्विधिना समुपोषितः । देवैस्तेजः परिक्षिप्तं माघमासे स्वकं जले ॥ ९ ॥
durlabho vāsaro viṣṇorvidhinā samupoṣitaḥ | devaistejaḥ parikṣiptaṃ māghamāse svakaṃ jale || 9 ||
विधिपूर्वक उपवास करून पाळलेला विष्णूचा तो व्रतदिवस दुर्लभ; माघमासात आपल्या जलातील स्नान देवतेजाने वेढले जाते.
Narada (teaching within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha/vrata discourse, traditionally in dialogue flow with Sanatkumara-lineage sages)
Vrata: Viṣṇu-vrata day (likely Ekādaśī or a Viṣṇu-vāsara; not explicitly named)
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"adbhuta","emotional_journey":"From the difficulty of properly observing Viṣṇu’s fast-day, it rises into wonder: the gods surround the Māgha bath with divine radiance."}
FAQs
It elevates Māgha-month observances by declaring that a properly performed Viṣṇu-day fast and sacred bathing are rare, high-merit acts that become “filled with divine radiance,” indicating intensified puṇya and devotional efficacy.
Bhakti is shown as disciplined worship: honoring Viṣṇu through vidhi-based fasting and holy bathing, where the devotee’s embodied act (snāna in water) becomes sanctified and spiritually luminous through divine approval.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Jyotiṣa-style sacred timing are implied: observing the correct “day of Viṣṇu” with proper vidhi and emphasizing Māgha-māsa as an auspicious period for vrata and snāna.