Shloka 52
The Greatness of Offering Piṇḍas at Viṣṇvādipada (Viṣṇupada) — Gayā Śrāddha Procedure and Fruits
क्रौंचरूपेण हि मुनिर्मुंडपृष्ठे तपोऽकरोत् । तस्य पादांकको यस्मात्क्रौंचपादः स्मृतस्ततः ॥ ५२ ॥
krauṃcarūpeṇa hi munirmuṃḍapṛṣṭhe tapo'karot | tasya pādāṃkako yasmātkrauṃcapādaḥ smṛtastataḥ || 52 ||
முனிவர் க்ரௌஞ்சப் பறவையின் வடிவம் கொண்டு முண்டப்ருஷ்டத்தில் தவம் செய்தார்; அங்கே அவருடைய பாதச்சின்னம் இருப்பதால் அந்த இடம் ‘க்ரௌஞ்சபாதம்’ என்று நினைவுகூரப்பட்டது।
Suta (narrating a tirtha-mahatmya account in Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that a tirtha’s sanctity can arise from a sage’s tapas, and that even a physical trace like a footprint becomes a lasting sacred marker that preserves spiritual memory (smṛti) and inspires pilgrimage.
By highlighting reverence for tapas-sthalas and sacred signs, it supports bhakti as respectful remembrance and worshipful approach to holy places—honoring the saintly presence that makes a site worthy of devotion.
Nirukta/etymological tradition and anukramaṇikā-style place-identification are implied: the verse explains a tirtha-name (Krauñca-pāda) through a defining mark (pādāṅka), a common Purāṇic method of sacred geography.