Shloka 17
वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म
Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving
गड़ा च सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वतीर्थजलोद्धवा । पर्युपासत त॑ देवं रूपिणी कुरुनन्दन
gaṅgā ca saritāṃ śreṣṭhā sarvatīrthajaloddhavā | paryupāsata taṃ devaṃ rūpiṇī kurunandana ||
Bhishma sprach: „O Wonne der Kurus, die Gaṅgā—die Vornehmste unter den Flüssen, hervorgegangen aus den Wassern aller heiligen Tīrthas—nahm dort göttliche Gestalt an und verehrte in hingebungsvoller Andacht jenen Gott, den höchsten Herrn: Mahadeva.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the most sanctifying power (Gaṅgā, born of all tīrthas) is portrayed as grounded in reverence toward the Supreme Lord; holiness is fulfilled and directed through devotion and worship, not merely through status or origin.
Bhīṣma describes Gaṅgā appearing in a divine, personified form and performing devoted worship of Mahādeva, while addressing Yudhiṣṭhira as ‘Kurunandana’ within the ongoing instruction of Śānti Parva.