Shloka 67
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
सुदुर्लभं तस्य मूर्तेश्च दानं तच्चन्द्रतीर्थे श्रवणं दुर्घटं च / सम्यक् स्वरूपं दधिवामनस्य सुदुर्घटं श्रवणं वैष्णवाच्च
sudurlabhaṃ tasya mūrteśca dānaṃ taccandratīrthe śravaṇaṃ durghaṭaṃ ca / samyak svarūpaṃ dadhivāmanasya sudurghaṭaṃ śravaṇaṃ vaiṣṇavācca
அந்த மூர்த்திக்குச் செய்யப்படும் தானம் மிக அரிது; சந்திரதீர்த்தத்தில் அதைப் பற்றிக் கேட்பதும் கடினம். ததிவாமனனின் உண்மைச் சொரூபத்தைச் சரியாகக் கேட்பது மிகக் கடினம்—வைஷ்ணவ பக்தரிடமிருந்தும் அது அரிதே.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: True understanding of the deity’s form and the merit-bearing acts connected to it are rare; authentic knowledge is difficult to obtain and is best sought from a genuine Vaiṣṇava.
Vedantic Theme: Guru/parampara-mediated knowledge; śravaṇa as a limb of bhakti; pramāṇa of trustworthy testimony (āpta-vākya).
Application: Seek instruction from qualified devotees/teachers; prioritize correct understanding over hearsay; support sacred institutions through appropriate dana when possible.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha (sacred ford)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.66 (Dadhivamana’s rarity and auspiciousness); Garuda Purana 3.26.68-69 (snana and shravana at Candratirtha; continued Hari-bhajana)
FAQs
The verse teaches that both charitable giving to a sacred form and attentive hearing of sacred teaching—especially in a tīrtha—are rare merits, emphasizing disciplined devotion and right reception of dharma.
It highlights that correct understanding of subtle Vaiṣṇava doctrines and sacred forms is not easily obtained; it requires qualified instruction and devotional eligibility, ideally through a genuine Vaiṣṇava source.
Support authentic religious causes (dāna), seek learning through careful listening (śravaṇa) at trustworthy places/teachers, and prioritize guidance from practiced devotees rather than hearsay.