Shloka 35
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
गंगातीरे कृतं पापं गङ्गास्नानेन नश्यति । रात्रौ दिवा च संध्यायां गंगायां तु प्रयत्नतः ॥ ३५ ॥
gaṃgātīre kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ gaṅgāsnānena naśyati | rātrau divā ca saṃdhyāyāṃ gaṃgāyāṃ tu prayatnataḥ || 35 ||
গঙ্গাতীরে করা পাপও গঙ্গাস্নানে নষ্ট হয়—রাতে, দিনে এবং সন্ধিক্ষণে—যদি শ্রদ্ধায় যত্নসহকারে স্নান করা হয়।
Narada (teaching within the Ganga Tirtha Mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"Acknowledges human fault even at a holy place, then offers a steady remedy available at all times—night, day, twilight—when done with earnest reverence."}
FAQs
It presents Gaṅgā-snāna (bathing in the Ganga) as a powerful prayāścitta (purificatory act), emphasizing that sincere, reverent practice at any time—night, day, or sandhyā—can dissolve accumulated impurity.
Though framed as a tirtha teaching, it implies bhakti through prayatna—approaching the sacred river with faith, humility, and intention—where the act becomes not mere bathing but a devotional surrender to a divine purifier.
It highlights ritual timing (sandhyā—twilight observance) and proper performance (prayatnataḥ), aligning with dharma-śāstra style discipline used in tirtha-snana procedures rather than technical Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa.