The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release
राक्षसास्तेन सिक्तास्तु सर्षपोपमबिंदुना । विमृज्य राक्षसं भावमभवन्देवतोपमाः ॥ ३१ ॥
rākṣasāstena siktāstu sarṣapopamabiṃdunā | vimṛjya rākṣasaṃ bhāvamabhavandevatopamāḥ || 31 ||
فلما رُشَّ أولئك الرّاكشاسا بتلك القطرة—لا تزيد على حبّة خردل—محَوا طبعهم الشيطاني وصاروا كأنهم من الآلهة.
Narada (narrating/teaching within the Purva Bhaga dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
It teaches that even a seemingly tiny measure of sanctifying grace—symbolized by a mustard-seed-sized drop—can cleanse deeply rooted negativity and elevate one’s nature toward the divine.
The verse implies that contact with the sacred (often understood in Purāṇic context as devotion, holy association, or consecrated substance) can rapidly transform the heart, replacing demonic tendencies with godlike qualities—an essential promise of Bhakti.
It reflects applied ritual practice (kalpa/ācāra): sprinkling or consecration (prokṣaṇa) as a purificatory act, emphasizing that correct sacred procedure supports inner purification.