Shloka 171
Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
तत्रैव च महाराज विश्वेश्वरमुमापतिम् । अभिगम्य महादेवं मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषै:,महाराज! वहीं विश्वनाथ उमावल्लभ महादेवजीका स्थान है। वहाँकी यात्रा करके मनुष्य सब पापोंसे छूट जाता है
tatraiva ca mahārāja viśveśvaram umāpatim | abhigamya mahādevaṃ mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ ||
“Doon din, O dakilang hari, naroon ang banal na tahanan ni Mahādeva—si Viśveśvara, ang Panginoon ni Umā. Sa paglapit sa Kanya nang may paggalang, ang tao’y napapalaya sa lahat ng dungis ng pagkakasala.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the purificatory power of sincere pilgrimage and reverent approach to Śiva (Mahādeva): devotion expressed through going to a sacred place and seeking the deity is said to cleanse one of moral taints (kilbiṣa), reinforcing a dharmic ideal of repentance, humility, and spiritual renewal.
A speaker addresses the king and points out a specific sacred site associated with Śiva—named Viśveśvara and Umāpati—stating that visiting and approaching Mahādeva there brings release from sins. It functions as a tirtha-mahātmya-style statement within the Vana Parva’s pilgrimage context.