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 ||
ତ୍ରେତାୟୁଗରେ ‘ବିଶାଳ’ ନାମକ ଜଣେ ନୃପତି ହେଲେ। ସେ ‘ବିଶାଳା’ ନାମର ମହାନଗରୀରେ ବସୁଥିଲେ। ସେ ଧନ୍ୟ ଓ ଧୃତିମାନ, ପୁତ୍ରହୀନ ହେଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ; ବିଶାଳାଧିପତି ଭାବେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଦ୍ୱିଜମାନଙ୍କୁ (ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣମାନଙ୍କୁ) ସମ୍ମାନ ଓ ପୋଷଣ କରୁଥିଲେ।
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.