Shloka 74
Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
तत्र स्नात्वा भूवराहस्य मर्तेः शृणोति यो लक्षणं सम्यगेव / स तेन पुण्यं समुपैति देवि स मुक्तिभाङ् नात्र विचार्यमस्ति
tatra snātvā bhūvarāhasya marteḥ śṛṇoti yo lakṣaṇaṃ samyageva / sa tena puṇyaṃ samupaiti devi sa muktibhāṅ nātra vicāryamasti
اے دیوی، جو وہاں اشنان کر کے بھُو-وراہ تیرتھ کی سچی کیفیت ٹھیک طرح سنتا ہے، وہ اسی عمل سے پُنّیہ پاتا ہے؛ وہ موکش کا حق دار ہوتا ہے—اس میں کوئی شک نہیں۔
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda; vocative 'devi' indicates a preserved address in the recension)
Concept: Tīrtha-snāna plus correct śravaṇa of the kṣetra-māhātmya yields puṇya and grants eligibility for liberation.
Vedantic Theme: Purification of antaḥkaraṇa through śraddhā, śravaṇa, and sattva-śuddhi as proximate causes supporting mokṣa.
Application: Undertake pilgrimage with inner discipline: bathe as a vow of purification, then listen carefully to the teaching/tradition of the place; integrate the merit into sustained sādhana.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.73 (pūjā+dāna+śravaṇa+darśana); Garuda Purana 3.26.75 (Raudra tīrtha near Śrīnivāsa)
FAQs
This verse teaches that a tīrtha-bath combined with attentive listening to the site’s true glory (lakṣaṇa) is a complete religious act that yields puṇya and supports liberation.
It links moksha not only to austerity but also to tīrtha practice and śravaṇa—devotional, correct hearing of sacred narratives—declaring such a practitioner “muktibhāṅ” (eligible for liberation).
When visiting sacred places, pair external purity (bath/clean conduct) with inner practice—listen, study, and reflect on the teaching with accuracy and reverence rather than treating pilgrimage as mere tourism.