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 ||
Jarang sekali hari Viṣṇu yang dipelihara dengan puasa menurut tatacara yang ditetapkan. Dalam bulan Māgha, mandi suci di air sendiri menjadi dilingkupi sinar ketuhanan oleh para dewa.
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)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
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.