Shloka 97
युधिष्ठिरस्य अर्जुनप्रेषण-युक्तिवर्णनम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rationale for Sending Arjuna and Request to Dhaumya
राजन्! जो मानव कृष्ण और शुक्ल दोनों पक्षोंमें गयातीर्थमें निवास करता है, वह अपने कुलकी सातवीं पीढ़ीतकको पवित्र कर देता है, इसमें संशय नहीं है ।। एष्टव्या बहव: पुत्रा यद्येको5पि गयां व्रजेत् । यजेत वाश्वमेधेन नील॑ वा वृषमुत्सूजेत्,बहुत-से पुत्रोंकी इच्छा करे। सम्भव है, उनमेंसे एक भी गयामें जाय या अश्वमेधयज्ञ करे अथवा नील वृषका उत्सर्ग ही करे
rājan! yo mānavaḥ kṛṣṇa-śukla-pakṣayoḥ gayātīrthe nivāsam karoti, sa sva-kulasya saptamīṁ pīḍhīṁ yāvat pāvayati—atra saṁśayo na asti. eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrāḥ yady eko 'pi gayāṁ vrajet, yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṁ vā vṛṣam utsṛjet.
Wika ni Ghūlastya: “O Hari, ang taong naninirahan sa banal na tawiran ng Gayā sa kapwa madilim at maliwanag na kalahati ng buwan ay nagpapadalisay sa angkan hanggang ikapitong salinlahi—dito’y walang pag-aalinlangan. Kaya nararapat na magnasa ng maraming anak na lalaki; sapagkat maaaring mangyari na kahit isa sa kanila ay makarating sa Gayā, o magsagawa ng sakripisyong Aśvamedha, o kahit man lamang magpalaya ng isang torong inialay at pinabanal.”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the extraordinary merit attributed to residence at Gayā across both lunar fortnights: such sustained tīrtha-observance is said to purify one’s lineage up to seven generations. It also frames progeny as a means for continuing dharmic acts—pilgrimage, sacrifice, and charitable religious releases.
In the Vana Parva’s tīrtha-focused discourse, Ghūlastya addresses a king and praises Gayā’s sanctity. He lists exemplary acts—going to Gayā, performing the Aśvamedha, or releasing a consecrated bull—as powerful dharmic deeds, urging the cultivation of heirs who might accomplish them.