Pulastya’s Tīrtha Enumeration: Sarasvatī, Naimiṣa, Gayā, and Associated Phalaśruti
Chapter 82
धर्मारण्यं हि तत् पुण्यमाद्यं च भरतर्षभ | यत्र प्रविष्टमात्रो वै सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते
dharmāraṇyaṃ hi tat puṇyam ādyaṃ ca bharatarṣabha | yatra praviṣṭamātro vai sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ||
பரதகுலச் சிறந்தவனே! அந்தப் புண்ணிய வனமே ‘தர்மாரண்யம்’—ஆதியுமானதும் புனிதமானதும். அதில் நுழைந்த மாத்திரமே மனிதன் எல்லாப் பாவங்களிலிருந்தும் விடுபடுவான்.
घुलस्त्य उवाच
The verse teaches the purificatory power of sacred spaces associated with dharma: entering a holy region aligned with righteous conduct is portrayed as immediately cleansing moral taint, emphasizing repentance, renewal, and the transformative influence of dharmic environments.
A speaker (Ghūlastya) praises a particular sacred forest called Dharmāraṇya, addressing a Bharata hero with an honorific. The statement functions as guidance and encouragement, presenting the place as exceptionally ancient and holy, where mere entry grants release from sins.