Shloka 3
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
सप्तावरान् सप्तपरान् पितृंस्तेभ्यश्च ये परे । पुमांस्तारयते गंगां वीक्ष्य स्पृष्ट्वावगाह्य च ॥ ३ ॥
saptāvarān saptaparān pitṛṃstebhyaśca ye pare | pumāṃstārayate gaṃgāṃ vīkṣya spṛṣṭvāvagāhya ca || 3 ||
গঙ্গাকে দেখে, স্পর্শ করে ও তাতে স্নান করলে মানুষ তার পিতৃপুরুষদের—সাত পুরুষ ঊর্ধ্বে, সাত পুরুষ অধঃে—এবং তাদেরও অতীত পূর্বপুরুষদের উদ্ধার করে।
Suta (narrating the Narada Purana discourse)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"karuna","emotional_journey":"Moves from simple acts (seeing/touching/bathing) to compassionate expansion of benefit—liberation of ancestors across generations."}
FAQs
It declares the exceptional tirtha-power (tīrtha-māhātmya) of the Gaṅgā: even simple contact—seeing, touching, and bathing—becomes a liberating merit that benefits one’s lineage, especially the Pitṛs.
The verse frames Gaṅgā-sevā as a sacred act that supports dharma and purification; such reverent approach to a divine tirtha functions as a practical expression of bhakti through humble, faith-filled engagement (darśana, sparśa, snāna).
Ritual practice is implied: tīrtha-snānā (holy bathing) and Pitṛ-related observances (śrāddha/tarpaṇa context) where purity and prescribed acts are central; it aligns most with Kalpa-style ritual application rather than technical Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.