Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 163
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
केशास्थिनखदन्दाश्च भस्मापि नृपसत्तम । नयति विष्णुसदनं स्पृष्टा गाङ्गेन वारिणा ॥ १६३ ॥
keśāsthinakhadandāśca bhasmāpi nṛpasattama | nayati viṣṇusadanaṃ spṛṣṭā gāṅgena vāriṇā || 163 ||
হে নৃপশ্ৰেষ্ঠ! কেশ, অস্থি, নখ, দাঁত—এমনকি ভস্মও—গংগাজলৰ স্পৰ্শে বিষ্ণুৰ ধামলৈ গমন কৰে।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches the extraordinary salvific power (tīrtha-māhātmya) of the Gaṅgā: even residual bodily elements or ashes gain a liberating connection that directs the departed toward Viṣṇu’s realm.
By naming “Viṣṇu-sadana” as the destination, the verse frames Gaṅgā-contact as an act that supports Viṣṇu-bhakti—linking sacred practice (tīrtha-sevā) with the grace-oriented goal of reaching the Lord.
It most directly reflects ritual application (kalpa/antyeṣṭi practice): the purification and merit associated with contact of Gaṅgā-water, especially relevant to post-death rites such as ash-immersion.