Shloka 14
The Greatness of Bathing in the Ganges
Gaṅgā-snānā-mahātmya
पततो नरके गङ्गा स्मृता दूरात्समुद्धरेत् । योजनानां सहस्रेषु गंगां स्मरति यो नरः ॥ १४ ॥
patato narake gaṅgā smṛtā dūrātsamuddharet | yojanānāṃ sahasreṣu gaṃgāṃ smarati yo naraḥ || 14 ||
Selbst wer in die Hölle stürzt—wenn er nur der Gaṅgā gedenkt—hebt sie ihn aus der Ferne empor. Wer der Gaṅgā auch aus tausenden Yojanas gedenkt, wird so erlöst.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that Gaṅgā is not only a physical tirtha but a salvific divine power: even mere remembrance (smaraṇa) of Gaṅgā can counteract extreme downfall (symbolized by “falling into hell”) and bring spiritual uplift.
The verse emphasizes smaraṇa—devotional remembrance—as an effective bhakti-practice: heartfelt recollection of a sacred embodiment of grace (Gaṅgā) is presented as potent even without physical proximity.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is tirtha-smaraṇa as a simple sādhanā—remembering Gaṅgā as a purifying act when travel or ritual performance is not possible.