Shloka 49
Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority
तृतीयांशे पठिते वेदतुल्यं फलं भवेन्नात्र विचार्यमस्ति / तृतीयांशश्रवणादेव विप्राः फलं प्रोक्तं पठतोप्यर्थमेवम्
tṛtīyāṃśe paṭhite vedatulyaṃ phalaṃ bhavennātra vicāryamasti / tṛtīyāṃśaśravaṇādeva viprāḥ phalaṃ proktaṃ paṭhatopyarthamevam
तृतीयांशे पठिते वेदतुल्यं फलं भवेत्, नात्र विचार्यमस्ति। तृतीयांशश्रवणादेव विप्राः, पठतोऽपि फलं तुल्यमिति प्रोक्तम्।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Phala-śruti: reciting or even hearing one-third yields Veda-equivalent merit; doubt is explicitly dismissed.
Vedantic Theme: Śāstra-śravaṇa as purificatory karma supporting higher pursuit; accessibility of merit through hearing (śravaṇa) for broader adhikāra.
Application: If full study is not possible, commit to hearing/reciting a substantial portion regularly; cultivate attentive listening as a disciplined act with ethical and spiritual payoff.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.1.48 (third portion yields Bhāgavata-equal merit)
FAQs
This verse states that hearing even one-third of the text grants the same declared merit as reciting it, emphasizing śravaṇa as a complete spiritual practice.
Yes—this verse explicitly says that reciting one-third yields merit equal to the Vedas, and it adds that hearing one-third is also said to give that fruit.
If full study is difficult, commit to listening to a substantial portion with attention and reverence; the text itself affirms meaningful spiritual benefit from such disciplined hearing.