Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas
with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas
हस्ताष्टकं तत्प्रमाणं वदन्ति तत्र स्नानं वैष्णवैः कार्यमेव / तत्र स्नात्वा प्रयतो वै मुरारेः कथां दिव्यां शृणुयादादरेण / स्नानं पानं तत्र दानं च कुर्याल्लक्ष्मीनृसिंहप्रीयते देवि नित्यम्३,२६।७६ // बदरीफलमात्रं च वर्तुलं बिन्दुसंयुतम्
hastāṣṭakaṃ tatpramāṇaṃ vadanti tatra snānaṃ vaiṣṇavaiḥ kāryameva / tatra snātvā prayato vai murāreḥ kathāṃ divyāṃ śṛṇuyādādareṇa / snānaṃ pānaṃ tatra dānaṃ ca kuryāllakṣmīnṛsiṃhaprīyate devi nityam3,26.76 // badarīphalamātraṃ ca vartulaṃ bindusaṃyutam
人们说其尺度为八肘;在彼处,毗湿奴信众(Vaiṣṇava)必当沐浴。于彼处自持而浴后,应以恭敬聆听穆拉里(毗湿奴)的神圣法语。又当在彼处沐浴、饮圣水并行布施;女神啊,吉祥天女—人狮(Lakṣmī‑Nṛsiṃha)恒常欢喜。(下一句起: “如婆陀梨果之量,圆而带一点……”)
Lord Vishnu (to Garuda; ‘devi’ suggests a quoted/preserved reading—treated here as Vishnu’s instruction in the narrative style)
Concept: Tīrtha-sevā (snāna–pāna–dāna) joined with attentive śravaṇa of Hari-kathā pleases the Lord and yields auspicious results.
Vedantic Theme: Bhakti supported by karma (ritual action) as a purifier of antaḥkaraṇa; śravaṇa as a primary limb leading toward liberation-oriented devotion.
Application: Visit a Viṣṇu-tīrtha with self-restraint; bathe, sip sanctified water as appropriate, give charity, and listen/read Viṣṇu/Nṛsiṃha-kathā with focused attention.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha/kshetra (implied)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.78-81 (marks of the deity/stone; merit of donating the image); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections on śravaṇa, dāna, and tīrtha-merit (general thematic linkage)
The verse frames holy bathing as a required Vaiṣṇava practice, meant to purify the practitioner and prepare them for devotional hearing (Hari-kathā) and charity.
It links external acts—bathing, drinking sacred water, and giving charity—with inner devotion—listening reverently to Vishnu’s divine narration—presenting them as a unified spiritual discipline.
Combine cleanliness and restraint with devotional study/listening (Vishnu-kathā) and regular charity; treat pilgrimages or temple visits as occasions for both worship and ethical generosity.