Shloka 19
The Account of the Fruits of Bathing at Particular Sacred Places
Tīrtha-viśeṣa-snāna-phala
गंगास्नातो नरः कामाद्ब्रह्मणः सदनं लभेत् । इंदोर्लक्षगुणं प्रोक्तं रवेर्दशगुणं ततः ॥ १९ ॥
gaṃgāsnāto naraḥ kāmādbrahmaṇaḥ sadanaṃ labhet | iṃdorlakṣaguṇaṃ proktaṃ raverdaśaguṇaṃ tataḥ || 19 ||
من اغتسل في نهر الغانغا—ولو بدافع رغبة دنيوية—نال مقامَ برهما. ويُقال إن ثواب ذلك الغُسل يكون مئةَ ألفِ ضعفٍ حين تكون القمرية مواتية، ثم يزداد عشرةَ أضعافٍ أخرى حين تكون الشمس مواتية.
Narada (teaching in a tirtha-mahatmya context; dialogue framed within Narada–Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It declares the extraordinary purifying power of Gaṅgā-snana: even when performed with worldly intent (kāma), it yields a lofty post-mortem attainment—Brahmā’s abode—showing the tirtha’s inherent sanctity.
Though not explicitly naming Viṣṇu-bhakti, it supports the bhakti framework by emphasizing sacred contact with a divine tirtha (Gaṅgā) as a grace-bearing act—where sincerity can mature from desire-driven practice toward higher spiritual aspiration.
It reflects Jyotiṣa-style timing sensitivity: merit is described as multiplying under lunar and solar conditions, implying that tirtha rituals are enhanced by choosing auspicious Sun/Moon periods in line with traditional calendrical practice.