Shloka 31
Tīrtha-vidhi (Procedure for Holy Places) — Prayāgarāja-māhātmya
पदेपदेऽश्वमेधस्य स्यात्फलं गच्छतो गयाम् । बलीवर्दसमारूढस्तीर्थं यो याति सुव्रते ॥ ३१ ॥
padepade'śvamedhasya syātphalaṃ gacchato gayām | balīvardasamārūḍhastīrthaṃ yo yāti suvrate || 31 ||
اے نیک عہد والی! جو گیا کی طرف چلتا ہے، اس کے ہر قدم پر اشومیدھ یَجْن کا ثواب ہوتا ہے؛ اور جو بیل پر سوار ہو کر تیرتھ تک جاتا ہے، وہ بھی وہی ثواب پاتا ہے۔
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates Gayā-yātrā as a supreme tīrtha-practice by stating that each step toward Gayā yields merit comparable to the Aśvamedha, emphasizing the extraordinary sanctity of the place and the power of pilgrimage-intent (saṅkalpa).
By glorifying the journey itself, the verse highlights devotional movement toward a sacred kṣetra—going with faith and vow (suvrata)—where reverence for tīrthas becomes an expression of bhakti through action (kriyā-bhakti).
Ritual-principle (kalpa-oriented practice) is implied: tīrtha-yātrā is treated as a dharmic act producing defined phala (merit), comparable to a major śrauta rite (Aśvamedha), guiding how pilgrimage is valued within Vedic ritual logic.