The Glory of Shri Gaya
Sutji said to Shaunakji that once Naradji went to Sanatkumar along with Shaunakadi sages and after bowing down, asked, ‘Hey Sanatkumarji! Please tell me the story of a pilgrimage that is liberating, hearing which one attains liberation.’ Sanatkumarji said, ‘Hey Narad! Such a pilgrimage is Gaya, a sacred land where performing Shraddha and Pind Daan leads to liberation. Once, a demon named Gayasur was born, who was very powerful. Brahmaji placed a Dharmashila (sacred stone) on him and performed a yajna. Due to the immovable nature of this stone, Lord Vishnu, holding a mace, and all the gods appeared in their divine forms. Brahma performed the yajna and gave gems, gold, etc., to the Brahmins. Since then, this place became sacred. The ancestors always reside here and always hope that someone from their lineage will be born who will perform Pind Daan here, which will lead to our liberation. By the son going to Gaya and touching the Phalgu river, the ancestors attain heaven.
By offering sesame seeds in the Gaya region, the ancestors attain Akshay Lok (indestructible world). By performing Pind Daan with sesame seeds for their sake in Gaya, one is freed from grave sins like Brahmanicide and alcohol consumption. By taking the name of a deceased person familiar with Gaya and performing Pind Daan, even they attain liberation. By performing Pind Daan in Gaya, one attains the fruit of crores of pilgrimages and Ashwamedha Yagyas. One should not think of any other pilgrimage after performing Shraadh in Gaya. Liberation occurs by dying in Gaya because it is one of the seven holy cities. By feeding Brahmins in Gaya, the ancestors are satisfied. By getting a mundan (ritual head shaving) done in Gaya, one’s entire family goes to Vaikunth (heaven). By going to Gaya and remembering Lord Vishnu (Gadadhar) and inviting the ancestors with devotion, perform Shraddha. Seeing the Shraddha being performed in Gaya, the ancestors quickly reach Gaya, wherever they are. For the sake of performing Pind Daan in Gaya, renounce lust, anger, and greed. In the Gaya region, all places are adorned with pilgrimage sites. Therefore, the Gaya region is considered superior to all pilgrimage sites. A person who performs Pind Daan in Gaya during a solar or lunar eclipse, or on Somvati Amavasya, attains great merit. There is a great significance of performing Pind Daan in Kanya Rashi (Virgo) during the solar eclipse.”