Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58
The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
Gaṅgāmāhātmya
नास्ति गङ्गासमं तीर्थं नास्ति मातृसमो गुरुः । नास्ति विष्णुसमं दैवं नास्ति तत्त्वं गुरोः परम् ॥ ५८ ॥
nāsti gaṅgāsamaṃ tīrthaṃ nāsti mātṛsamo guruḥ | nāsti viṣṇusamaṃ daivaṃ nāsti tattvaṃ guroḥ param || 58 ||
গঙ্গাৰ সমান কোনো তীৰ্থ নাই; মাতৃৰ সমান কোনো গুৰু নাই; বিষ্ণুৰ সমান কোনো দেৱ নাই; আৰু গুৰুৱে দিয়া তত্ত্বৰ ওপৰত কোনো পৰম তত্ত্ব নাই।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Upadesha dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It ranks four supreme supports of dharma and liberation: the Gaṅgā as the foremost tīrtha (purifying power), the mother as the highest living guru (first guide in values), Viṣṇu as the unsurpassed deity (object of bhakti), and the Guru’s teaching as the highest tattva (direct means to realization).
By declaring “no deity equal to Viṣṇu,” it centers devotion on Viṣṇu as the supreme refuge; and by honoring the Guru’s highest truth, it implies bhakti must be guided—rooted in right instruction, humility, and faithful practice rather than mere sentiment.
Not a specific Vedāṅga technique is taught; instead, it gives practical dharmic priorities relevant to ritual life—choosing a purifying tīrtha (Gaṅgā), honoring the primary educator (mother), and relying on authorized instruction (guru-upadeśa) to keep practice aligned with śāstra.