Shloka 83
The Greatness of Gayā
Gayā-Māhātmya
सरो गयशिरो यत्र पुण्या चैव महानदी । ऋषिजुष्टं महापुण्यं तीर्थं ब्रह्मसरोवरम् ॥ ८३ ॥
saro gayaśiro yatra puṇyā caiva mahānadī | ṛṣijuṣṭaṃ mahāpuṇyaṃ tīrthaṃ brahmasarovaram || 83 ||
Ang lawa na kinaroroonan ng Gayaśiras, at kung saan dumadaloy din ang banal na Dakilang Ilog—dinadalaw ng mga ṛṣi—ay ang tīrtha na lubhang mapagpala na tinatawag na Brahma-sarovara.
Narada
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"Awe arises from the confluence of sacred features—lake, Gayaśiras, and the Great River—settling into serene reverence as the tīrtha is named Brahma-sarovara and praised as mahāpuṇya."}
FAQs
It identifies Brahma-sarovara as a highly meritorious tīrtha, sanctified by proximity to Gayaśiras and a holy great river, and validated by the presence of ṛṣis—marking it as a powerful place for accruing puṇya through pilgrimage and sacred bathing.
While not explicitly teaching bhakti, it supports bhakti-oriented dharma by elevating tīrtha-yātrā as a devotional act—approaching sacred places with reverence, purity, and remembrance of the divine order (Brahmā’s sanctified sarovara).
The verse mainly reflects tīrtha-dharma (ritual practice). Practically, it implies correct observance of pilgrimage rites—such as auspicious timing and purity disciplines—often guided by Jyotiṣa (Vedāṅga astrology) and Kalpa (ritual procedure), though these are not named directly in the shloka.