Shloka 28
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
इति पुंसाभिलषिता कुलानां तारयेच्छतम् । अथ स्नानफलं देवि गंगायाः प्रवदामि ते ॥ २८ ॥
iti puṃsābhilaṣitā kulānāṃ tārayecchatam | atha snānaphalaṃ devi gaṃgāyāḥ pravadāmi te || 28 ||
এইভাবে পুরুষের অভিলষিত পুণ্যভাব তার বংশের শত প্রজন্মকে উদ্ধার করে। এখন, হে দেবী, আমি তোমাকে গঙ্গাস্নানের ফল বলছি।
A sage-narrator addressing Devi (likely Parvati/Uma) within the Ganga Mahatmya discourse
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Moves from stating trans-generational salvific merit to a calm promise of instruction about Gaṅgā-snānaphala."}
FAQs
It frames Ganga-bathing as a lineage-liberating act: the merit is portrayed as powerful enough to uplift many generations, and it introduces the specific results (snāna-phala) of bathing in the Gaṅgā.
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti here, it reflects devotional dharma through reverence for a divine tirtha (Gaṅgā as Devi), where faithful ritual action becomes a vehicle for purification and upliftment.
It highlights ritual praxis (kalpa-oriented tirtha-vidhi): the concept of snāna-phala—measurable results of a prescribed sacred act—central to Purāṇic ritual instruction.