Tīrtha-yātrā: Phalaśruti and Sacred Geography from Lohitya to Prayāga
Pulastya’s Instruction
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत वनपर्वके अन्तर्गत तीर्थयात्रापर्वमें पुलस्त्यकाथिततीर्थयात्राविषयक बयासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा प्राणानुत्सूज्य भारत । नारदेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो लोकान प्राप्रोत्यनुत्तमान् भारत! उस तीर्थमें स्नान करके मनुष्य प्राणत्यागके पश्चात् नारदजीकी आज्ञाके अनुसार परम उत्तम लोकोंमें जाता है
tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā prāṇān utsṛjya bhārata | nāradena abhyanujñāto lokān prāpnoty anuttamān ||
O Bhārata, ang sinumang maligo sa banal na tawirang iyon at, sa pagwawakas ng buhay, bitawan ang hininga ng buhay (prāṇa), ay makararating sa mga pinakadakilang daigdig—sapagkat pinahintulutan at pinagpala ni Nārada.
घुलस्त्य उवाच
The verse teaches that tīrtha-bathing, when aligned with dharma and validated by a revered sage like Nārada, is portrayed as yielding supreme posthumous attainments—emphasizing purity, right intention, and the guiding role of spiritual authority.
Pulastya is concluding a section on pilgrimage merits, stating that one who bathes at the specified tīrtha and later dies attains the highest realms, having received Nārada’s approval; it functions as a phalaśruti-like statement summarizing the benefit of that sacred place.