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

Ang Śrāddha na inihahandog sa Mahāhrada, sa ilog Kauśikī—lalo na sa Mūlakṣetra—at sa yungib ng Gṛdhrakūṭa, ay nagbubunga ng napakadakilang gantimpala (ayon sa tradisyon, pitong ulit).

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.