Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
अहो माया जगत्सर्वं मोहयत्येतदद्भुतम् । यतो वै नरकं यान्ति गङ्गानाम्नि स्थितेऽपि हि ॥ २५ ॥
aho māyā jagatsarvaṃ mohayatyetadadbhutam | yato vai narakaṃ yānti gaṅgānāmni sthite'pi hi || 25 ||
آهٍ! ما أعجب الأمر—إنَّ المايا تُضلِّل العالم كلَّه، حتى إنَّ الناس يذهبون إلى الجحيم مع أنهم يقيمون في موضعٍ يحمل اسم «غانغا».
Narada (in dialogue with the Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It warns that Māyā can overpower people to the extent that external holiness—such as living in a sacred Gaṅgā-associated place—does not save them unless their conduct and inner orientation follow Dharma and genuine spiritual discipline.
By implying that mere proximity to sacred geography is insufficient, the verse points toward inner transformation—steadfast devotion, remembrance, and surrender—as the real antidote to Māyā’s delusion.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this line; the practical takeaway is hermeneutic discernment (viveka) in applying ritual and tīrtha practices—external acts must be joined with ethical restraint and sincere intention to bear fruit.