Shloka 48
Kāśī-māhātmya: Avimukta Gaṅgā and the Pañcanada Tīrtha
गुरुशुश्रूषवे दत्वा तीर्थास्नानफलं लभेत् । शठाय निंदकायापि गोविप्रसुरविद्विषे । गुरुद्रुहेऽसूयकाय दत्वा मृत्युमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ४८ ॥
guruśuśrūṣave datvā tīrthāsnānaphalaṃ labhet | śaṭhāya niṃdakāyāpi goviprasuravidviṣe | gurudruhe'sūyakāya datvā mṛtyumavāpnuyāt || 48 ||
جو گُرو کی شُشرُوشا میں لگن رکھتا ہو، اسے دان دینے سے تیرتھ اسنان کا پھل ملتا ہے۔ مگر شَٹھ، نِندک، گاؤ-برہمن-دیوتاؤں کا دشمن، گُرو کا دُروہی اور حسد کرنے والے کو دان دینے سے موت جیسا سخت زوال آتا ہے۔
Suta (narrating Narada Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya teachings)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches that the fruit of sacred practices depends on discernment (viveka): giving to a worthy, guru-devoted recipient yields tīrtha-like merit, while supporting hostile and unethical people becomes spiritually destructive.
Bhakti is grounded in reverence and service—especially guru-sevā and honoring dharmic pillars like cows and brāhmaṇas. Charity aligned with these values supports devotion; charity that empowers envy and guru-betrayal undermines it.
Ritual discernment (a practical dharma-application often guided by Kalpa/Smṛti principles) is emphasized: dāna is not merely an act, but a correctly directed ritual ethic where the recipient’s eligibility determines the result.