Shloka 55
Dhaumya’s Enumeration of Eastern Tīrthas
Prācī-diś Tīrtha-kathana
मेधाविकं समासाद्य पितृन् देवांश्व॒ तर्पयेत् | अग्निष्टोममवाप्रोति स्मृतिं मेधां च विन्दति
medhāvikaṃ samāsādya pitṝn devāṃś ca tarpayet | agniṣṭomam avāpnoti smṛtiṃ medhāṃ ca vindati
Pulastya disse: “Tendo chegado a Medhāvika (lugar/rito sagrado), deve-se satisfazer os Pitṛs (espíritos ancestrais) e os deuses com as devidas oferendas, por meio do tarpaṇa. Assim, alcança-se o mérito do sacrifício Agniṣṭoma e obtêm-se tanto smṛti (reminiscência) quanto medhā (inteligência).”
पुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Honoring both ancestors and gods through proper tarpaṇa is presented as a dharmic act whose fruit equals major Vedic sacrifice (Agniṣṭoma) and also refines the practitioner’s inner faculties—memory (smṛti) and intelligence (medhā).
Pulastya is instructing about the spiritual benefits of approaching a sacred observance/place called Medhāvika and performing propitiatory offerings to the Pitṛs and the devas, emphasizing its exceptional merit and its effect on mental clarity.