Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
अर्चयित्वा पितृन् देवानुपवासपरायण: । अग्निष्टोममवाप्रोति सूर्यलोक॑ च गच्छति,मनको वशमें करके सूर्यतीर्थमें जाकर स्नान और देवता-पितरोंका अर्चन करके उपवास करनेवाला मनुष्य अग्निष्टोमयज्ञका फल पाता और सूर्यलोकमें जाता है
arcayitvā pitṝn devān upavāsa-parāyaṇaḥ | agniṣṭomam avāpnoti sūryalokaṃ ca gacchati ||
Ghūlastya disse: “Aquele que, devotado ao jejum, vai ao vau sagrado do Sol, ali se banha e presta culto devido aos deuses e aos pais ancestrais, alcança mérito igual ao sacrifício Agniṣṭoma e, depois, chega ao mundo do Sol.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Austerity and devotion performed at a sacred place—especially bathing, worship of gods and ancestors, and fasting—can yield merit comparable to major Vedic sacrifices, emphasizing accessible dharma through disciplined practice and reverence.
The speaker (Ghūlastya) describes the spiritual reward of visiting the Sun’s sacred ford, performing ritual bathing and worship, and observing a fast: the practitioner gains Agniṣṭoma-like merit and is said to reach Sūrya’s celestial realm.