Shloka 4
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
श्रुत्वा गयाया माहात्म्यं पितॄणां गतिदं परम् । भूयः पप्रच्छ किं विप्रं वसुं वेदविदांवरम् ॥ ४ ॥
śrutvā gayāyā māhātmyaṃ pitṝṇāṃ gatidaṃ param | bhūyaḥ papraccha kiṃ vipraṃ vasuṃ vedavidāṃvaram || 4 ||
பித்ருக்களுக்கு உயர்ந்த கதியை அளிக்கும் கயாவின் பரம மாஹாத்மியத்தை கேட்டபின், அவர் மீண்டும் வேத அறிஞர்களில் முதன்மையான பிராமணன் வசுவை வினவினார் ॥ ४ ॥
Narrator (Suta-style narration describing the inquirer addressing Vasu)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames Gayā as a supreme tīrtha whose rites are believed to grant the Pitṛs an elevated destiny (gati), and it advances the dialogue by prompting further instruction on what should be done there.
Indirectly: it shows reverent hearing (śravaṇa) of a tīrtha’s māhātmya and humble inquiry to a Veda-knower—both supportive attitudes for devotional practice, especially when performing Pitṛ-related rites with faith.
The verse emphasizes reliance on a qualified Veda-knower (vedavid-vara) for correct ritual understanding—pointing toward practical application of Kalpa (ritual procedure) and related disciplines for performing Śrāddha/tarpaṇa at a tīrtha.