Shloka 97
युधिष्ठिरस्य अर्जुनप्रेषण-युक्तिवर्णनम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rationale for Sending Arjuna and Request to Dhaumya
राजन्! जो मानव कृष्ण और शुक्ल दोनों पक्षोंमें गयातीर्थमें निवास करता है, वह अपने कुलकी सातवीं पीढ़ीतकको पवित्र कर देता है, इसमें संशय नहीं है ।।
rājan! yo mānavaḥ kṛṣṇa-śukla-pakṣayoḥ gayātīrthe nivāsam karoti, sa sva-kulasya saptamīṁ pīḍhīṁ yāvat pāvayati—atra saṁśayo na asti. eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrāḥ yady eko 'pi gayāṁ vrajet, yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṁ vā vṛṣam utsṛjet.
古拉斯提亚说道：“大王啊，凡在伽耶圣渡于黑半月与白半月两期皆居住者，必能净化其族系直至第七代——对此毫无疑惑。故当愿有多子：或许其中纵有一人前往伽耶，或举行阿湿婆弥陀马祭，或至少放生一头已受祝圣的公牛。”
घुलस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the extraordinary merit attributed to residence at Gayā across both lunar fortnights: such sustained tīrtha-observance is said to purify one’s lineage up to seven generations. It also frames progeny as a means for continuing dharmic acts—pilgrimage, sacrifice, and charitable religious releases.
In the Vana Parva’s tīrtha-focused discourse, Ghūlastya addresses a king and praises Gayā’s sanctity. He lists exemplary acts—going to Gayā, performing the Aśvamedha, or releasing a consecrated bull—as powerful dharmic deeds, urging the cultivation of heirs who might accomplish them.