Shloka 61
Tīrtha-yātrā-varṇana
Description of Pilgrimage to the Sacred Fords
पंचषष्टिसमाः संध्या तेन चोपासिता भवेत् । पुरीं वाराणसीं तां तु श्मशानं चाविमुक्तकम् ॥ ६१ ॥
paṃcaṣaṣṭisamāḥ saṃdhyā tena copāsitā bhavet | purīṃ vārāṇasīṃ tāṃ tu śmaśānaṃ cāvimuktakam || 61 ||
Bagi dirinya, pemujaan Sandhyā yang dilakukan selama enam puluh lima tahun dianggap telah sempurna ditunaikan. Dan kota Vārāṇasī itu sesungguhnya dihitung sebagai tanah pembakaran suci, Avimukta.
Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage; Uttara-Bhaga tirtha narration)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It equates the extraordinary sanctity of Kāśī–Avimukta with immense lifelong religious merit, portraying residence/connection with Vārāṇasī as spiritually potent—linked with liberation-oriented tirtha glory.
By praising Avimukta (Kāśī) as uniquely sacred, it supports pilgrimage and sacred-place devotion as a bhakti-supported discipline—where reverence, worship, and surrender in a Vishnu–Shiva sacred geography intensify spiritual progress.
The verse highlights Sandhyā worship (Sandhyavandana)—a daily ritual discipline tied to Vedic practice (prayoga/kalpa in Vedanga context), emphasizing consistency and time-based observance.