Shloka 51
The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits
गयासुरस्य तु शिरो गदया यद्द्विधा कृतम् । यतः प्रक्षालिता तीर्थे गदालोलस्तदा स्मृतः ॥ ५१ ॥
gayāsurasya tu śiro gadayā yaddvidhā kṛtam | yataḥ prakṣālitā tīrthe gadālolastadā smṛtaḥ || 51 ||
கதையால் கயாசுரனின் தலை இரண்டாகப் பிளக்கப்பட்டபோது, அந்தக் கதை அந்தத் தீர்த்தத்தில் கழுவப்பட்டது; அதனால் அந்தத் தீர்த்தம் ‘கதாலோலா’ என்று நினைவுகூரப்பட்டது।
Sanatkumara (narrating to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It explains the etiology (name-origin) of a Gaya tīrtha: a sacred place becomes renowned through a divine act connected to Gayāsura, establishing it as a site of purity and merit (puṇya) for pilgrims.
By highlighting reverence for tīrthas tied to sacred narratives, it supports bhakti through śraddhā—devotees honor the Lord’s sacred geography (kṣetra-māhātmya) and perform worship and bathing with faith.
Nirukta-style onomastics is implied: the verse derives a tīrtha-name (Gadālolā) from a defining event, aiding ritual geography and correct identification of pilgrimage sites used in rites like snāna and tarpaṇa.