Shloka 26
The Greatness of Gayā
Gayā-Māhātmya
त्रेतायुगे वै नृपतिर्बभूव विशालनामा स पुरीं विशालाम् । उवास धन्यो धृतिमानपुत्रः स्वयं विशालाधिपतिर्द्विजाग्र्यान् ॥ २६ ॥
tretāyuge vai nṛpatirbabhūva viśālanāmā sa purīṃ viśālām | uvāsa dhanyo dhṛtimānaputraḥ svayaṃ viśālādhipatirdvijāgryān || 26 ||
Sesungguhnya pada zaman Tretā-yuga muncul seorang raja bernama Viśāla; baginda bersemayam di kota agung Viśālā. Baginda diberkati dan teguh—meski tanpa putera—sebagai penguasa Viśālā, baginda memuliakan serta menyokong para brāhmaṇa terunggul, kaum dwija.
Suta (narrative voice within the Purana)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents an ideal of rājadharma: a ruler’s blessedness is shown through steadiness (dhṛti) and service to the foremost brāhmaṇas, a foundation for merit in tirtha-centered narratives.
While not explicitly naming Viṣṇu-bhakti, it frames devotion through dharmic kingship—supporting the righteous and honoring spiritual exemplars—an indirect but classical Purāṇic expression of bhakti through service and reverence.
No specific Vedāṅga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, etc.) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharmic governance: patronage of learned brāhmaṇas who preserve Vedic recitation, ritual, and instruction.