Shloka 16
Dāna-vrata and the Tīrtha Circuit of Venkaṭādri
Snāna, Mantra, Naivedya
जैगीषव्यः पृष्ट एव मुवाच करुणानिधिः / इयं भागीरथी कन्ये आयाति ह्यन्तरेण तु
jaigīṣavyaḥ pṛṣṭa eva muvāca karuṇānidhiḥ / iyaṃ bhāgīrathī kanye āyāti hyantareṇa tu
வினவப்பட்டபோது கருணாநிதியான ஜைகீஷவ்யர் கூறினார்— “ஓ கன்னியே, இந்தப் பாகீரதீ கங்கை இவ்விடத்தின் நடுவேதான் நிச்சயமாகப் பாய்ந்து வருகிறது.”
Jaigishavya (sage), described as karuṇānidhi
Concept: Tirtha-mahima: sacred geography is disclosed through guru/ṛṣi-vākya and approached with reverence.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha and śraddhā as gateways to recognizing the sacred in the manifest world.
Application: Seek guidance from trustworthy teachers; approach pilgrimage sites with humility and attentive faith, seeing sanctity as present ‘here’ rather than only ‘elsewhere’.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: sacred river/hidden tirtha-channel
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.27.17-20 (Inner Gaṅgā, bathing merit, mantra-japa, worship of Śrīnivāsa)
FAQs
This verse highlights Gaṅgā as a divinely significant, purifying presence—so central that the narrative notes her course as a direct passage “in between,” indicating sacred access and spiritual cleansing.
By explicitly naming Bhāgīrathī, the verse signals the Purāṇic theme that contact with holy rivers and tīrthas supports purification and auspicious transition in life’s key rites and spiritual pursuits.
Cultivate reverence for sacred waters and purity of conduct: if pilgrimage is possible, visit a Gaṅgā-tīrtha respectfully; if not, practice inner purity through truthfulness, charity, and remembrance of the sacred.