Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
वायुतीर्थं च तत्प्रोक्तं हस्तद्वादशकान्तरम् / हस्तषट्कप्रमाणं च पश्चिमे समुदाहृतम् / उत्तरे हस्तषट्कं तु वायुतीर्थमुदाहृतम्
vāyutīrthaṃ ca tatproktaṃ hastadvādaśakāntaram / hastaṣaṭkapramāṇaṃ ca paścime samudāhṛtam / uttare hastaṣaṭkaṃ tu vāyutīrthamudāhṛtam
สถานที่นั้นเรียกว่า ‘วายุ-ตีรถะ’ มีช่วงห่างสิบสองศอก ด้านตะวันตกกำหนดขนาดหกศอก และด้านเหนือก็กล่าวว่าหกศอกนั้นเป็นวายุ-ตีรถะเช่นกัน
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Sacred places have maryādā (defined bounds); correct practice depends on accurate knowledge of place and procedure.
Vedantic Theme: Outer order supports inner order: niyama and precision in sādhana as aids to steadiness and śraddhā.
Application: Respect designated sacred zones; follow local injunctions and traditional measurements/markers; avoid casual encroachment or improvisation in ritual contexts.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: measured sub-area (parimāṇa) within a tīrtha
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.44 (Vāyu’s worship at the vāyu-koṇa)
This verse treats Vāyu-tīrtha as a precisely defined sacred area, implying that correct spatial designation is part of proper ritual performance in the Preta-kāṇḍa context.
Indirectly: by prescribing exact tīrtha measurements, it emphasizes disciplined rite-setting for post-death observances that are taught to support the departed (preta) through the transitional journey.
When performing śrāddha or related rites, follow a qualified tradition/priestly guidance for selecting and defining the ritual space, since the text highlights precision (hasta-measures) in tīrtha layout.