Shloka 48
Kāśī-māhātmya: Avimukta Gaṅgā and the Pañcanada Tīrtha
गुरुशुश्रूषवे दत्वा तीर्थास्नानफलं लभेत् । शठाय निंदकायापि गोविप्रसुरविद्विषे । गुरुद्रुहेऽसूयकाय दत्वा मृत्युमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ४८ ॥
guruśuśrūṣave datvā tīrthāsnānaphalaṃ labhet | śaṭhāya niṃdakāyāpi goviprasuravidviṣe | gurudruhe'sūyakāya datvā mṛtyumavāpnuyāt || 48 ||
गुरुशुश्रूषवे दत्त्वा तीर्थस्नानफलं लभेत्। शठाय निन्दकायापि गोविप्रसुरविद्विषे॥ गुरुद्रुहेऽसूयकाय दत्त्वा मृत्युमवाप्नुयात्॥
Suta (narrating Narada Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya teachings)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Starts with a serene promise of tīrtha-like merit for proper giving, then turns admonitory and fear-tinged by warning of death/downfall when giving to the unworthy."}
FAQs
It teaches that the fruit of sacred practices depends on discernment (viveka): giving to a worthy, guru-devoted recipient yields tīrtha-like merit, while supporting hostile and unethical people becomes spiritually destructive.
Bhakti is grounded in reverence and service—especially guru-sevā and honoring dharmic pillars like cows and brāhmaṇas. Charity aligned with these values supports devotion; charity that empowers envy and guru-betrayal undermines it.
Ritual discernment (a practical dharma-application often guided by Kalpa/Smṛti principles) is emphasized: dāna is not merely an act, but a correctly directed ritual ethic where the recipient’s eligibility determines the result.