Shloka 124
तीर्थे यः प्रतिगृह्णाति पुण्येष्वायतनेषु च । निष्फलं तस्य तत्तीर्थं यावत्तद्धनमुच्यते ॥ १२४ ॥
tīrthe yaḥ pratigṛhṇāti puṇyeṣvāyataneṣu ca | niṣphalaṃ tasya tattīrthaṃ yāvattaddhanamucyate || 124 ||
தீர்த்தத்திலும் புண்ணிய ஆலயங்களிலும் கொடை ஏற்றுக்கொள்பவனுக்கு அந்தத் தீர்த்தம் பயனற்றதாகும்—அந்தச் செல்வம் அவனிடம் இருக்கும் வரையில்.
Sage Narada (teaching within the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha discourse, traditionally framed in dialogue with Sanatkumara lineage)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that the spiritual fruit of visiting a tīrtha depends on purity of conduct; accepting gifts for personal gain in holy places undermines (or suspends) the merit of the pilgrimage.
Bhakti is strengthened by humility and non-possessiveness; the verse cautions that acquisitiveness at sacred sites distracts from God-centered devotion and weakens the inner fruit of worship and pilgrimage.
It aligns with Dharma-śāstra style rules of ācāra (right conduct) concerning dāna (giving) and pratigraha (accepting), guiding how ritual merit is preserved during tīrtha-yātrā and temple practice.