Shloka 55

Gayā-kṣetra and Phalgu Tīrtha: Sites, Rites, and the Liberation of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

महाह्रदे च कौशिक्यां मूलक्षेत्रे विशेषतः / गुहायां गृध्रकूटस्य श्राद्धं दत्तं (सप्त) महाफलम्

Transliteration

mahāhrade ca kauśikyāṃ mūlakṣetre viśeṣataḥ / guhāyāṃ gṛdhrakūṭasya śrāddhaṃ dattaṃ (sapta) mahāphalam

Translation

మహాహ్రదంలో, కౌశికీ నదీ తీరంలో ప్రత్యేకంగా మూలక్షేత్రంలో, అలాగే గృధ్రకూట గుహలో చేసిన శ్రాద్ధం మహాఫలాన్ని ఇస్తుంది.

Word by Word

• mahāhrade: in the great lake
• mahāhrade: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + hrada (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; place-locative

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samucchaya-nipāta (conjunction)

• kauśikyām: in/at Kauśikī
• kauśikyām: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kauśikī (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; river/place name

• mūlakṣetre: in the root/primary sacred field
• mūlakṣetre: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla + kṣetra (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; place-locative

• viśeṣataḥ: especially
• viśeṣataḥ: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa-avyaya (adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)

• guhāyām: in the cave
• guhāyām: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guhā (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• gṛdhrakūṭasya: of Gṛdhrakūṭa
• gṛdhrakūṭasya: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛdhra + kūṭa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana; genitive dependent on 'guhāyām' (cave of...)

• śrāddham: Śrāddha rite
• śrāddham: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• dattam: given/offered
• dattam: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya (past passive participle), Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate of 'śrāddham'

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Avyaya-like numeral used as viśeṣaṇa; (parenthetical in text)

• mahāphalam: of great fruit/result
• mahāphalam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Predicate qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + phala (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate adjective of 'śrāddham (dattam)'

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śrāddha performed at specific tīrthas yields mahā-phala (often described as multiplied), emphasizing place-specific sanctity for pitṛ satisfaction.

Vedantic Theme: Compassionate duty to ancestors as part of dharma; ritual as a means to cultivate gratitude and reduce ego-centered living.

Application: When doing śrāddha, choose recognized tīrthas, perform with śraddhā (sincerity), feed worthy recipients, and include dāna; keep the intent focused on gratitude and welfare.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha nodes (lake/river/kshetra/cave)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha-vidhi and tīrtha-phala lists; Garuda Purana: emphasis that śraddhā (faith) and proper procedure determine fruit

Characters & Entities

• Kauśikī
• Mahāhrada
• Mūlakṣetra
• Gṛdhrakūṭa

FAQs

What is the importance of performing Śrāddha at tīrthas in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse teaches that Śrāddha done in specific sacred locations (tīrthas/kṣetras) multiplies the spiritual merit and efficacy of the ancestral offering.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s post-death journey described in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

By emphasizing potent places for Śrāddha, it supports the broader teaching that proper pitṛ-karmas aid the departed and strengthen dharmic continuity for the family, which is repeatedly linked to post-death welfare in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If possible, perform Śrāddha/pitṛ-tarpaṇa at recognized tīrthas; otherwise, perform the rite with correct procedure, faith, and charity—treating the act as service to ancestors and a commitment to dharma.