Shloka 41
The Account of the Fruits of Bathing at Particular Sacred Places
Tīrtha-viśeṣa-snāna-phala
ततस्तु गांडवं तीर्थं गंडकी यत्र संगता । गोसहस्रस्य दानं च तत्र स्नानं समं द्वयम् ॥ ४१ ॥
tatastu gāṃḍavaṃ tīrthaṃ gaṃḍakī yatra saṃgatā | gosahasrasya dānaṃ ca tatra snānaṃ samaṃ dvayam || 41 ||
Sumunod ay ang banal na tawiran na tinatawag na Gāṇḍava, kung saan nagtatagpo ang ilog Gaṇḍakī (at iba pang tubig). Ang pagligo roon ay ipinahahayag na kasinghalaga ng pag-aalay ng isang libong baka—magkapantay ang bungang espirituwal.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It elevates Gāṇḍava Tīrtha on the Gaṇḍakī as a high-merit pilgrimage spot, stating that a simple ritual bath there can yield merit comparable to an exceptionally costly charity (donating a thousand cows).
While framed as tīrtha-māhātmya, it supports bhakti-oriented practice by emphasizing accessible sacred acts—reverent bathing at a holy confluence—as a potent offering, encouraging devotional pilgrimage and faith in dharmic observances.
Ritual practice (kalpa-oriented dharma) is implied: tīrtha-snānā (pilgrimage bathing) and dāna (charity) are compared through their phala (results), guiding practitioners in choosing meritorious rites.