Shloka 87
Account of Various Sacred Tīrthas
Pilgrimage Merits and Prayāga Supremacy
द्वापरे तु कुरुक्षेत्रं गंगा कलियुगे स्मृता । पुष्करे तु तपस्तप्येद्दानं दद्यान्महालये
dvāpare tu kurukṣetraṃ gaṃgā kaliyuge smṛtā | puṣkare tu tapastapyeddānaṃ dadyānmahālaye
द्वापरे कुरुक्षेत्रं तीर्थश्रेष्ठं प्रकीर्तितम्, कलियुगे तु गङ्गा स्मृता। पुष्करे तपः कुर्यात्, महालये दानं दद्यात्॥
Pulastya (to Bhīṣma)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तपस्तप्येत् = तपः + तप्येत् (विसर्ग-सन्धि: ः + त → स् + त). दद्यान्महालये = दद्यात् + महालये (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि: त् + म → न्म्).
FAQs
It presents a yuga-wise mapping of spiritual emphasis: Kurukṣetra is highlighted for Dvāpara, Gaṅgā for Kali, Puṣkara for austerities, and Mahālaya for charitable giving—showing that sacred practice is contextualized by time and rite.
It singles out the Gaṅgā as especially remembered in Kali-yuga, implying that association with the Gaṅgā (pilgrimage, bathing, worship) is a particularly accessible and potent form of merit in this age.
It teaches disciplined allocation of effort: undertake austerity where it is traditionally intensified (Puṣkara) and prioritize generosity where it is ritually and morally emphasized (Mahālaya), integrating personal restraint with social/ancestral responsibility.