Shloka 78
गंगांभसि प्रयत्नेन स्नातव्यं तेन मानवैः । प्रतिगृह निवृत्तो यः प्रतिग्रहक्षमोऽपि सन् । स द्विजो द्योतते वैश्य तारारूपश्चिरं दिवि
gaṃgāṃbhasi prayatnena snātavyaṃ tena mānavaiḥ | pratigṛha nivṛtto yaḥ pratigrahakṣamo'pi san | sa dvijo dyotate vaiśya tārārūpaściraṃ divi
Darum sollen die Menschen sich eifrig im Wasser der Gaṅgā baden. Der Zweimalgeborene, der es meidet, Gaben anzunehmen—obwohl er dazu berechtigt ist—leuchtet lange am Himmel in der Gestalt eines Sterns.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svargakhaṇḍa Adhyaya 31)
Concept: Diligent Gaṅgā bathing purifies; a dvija who renounces gift-taking despite eligibility gains luminous heavenly status—ethical self-restraint amplifies ritual merit.
Application: Pair ritual acts with integrity: practice moderation in receiving favors, avoid transactional religiosity, and cultivate contentment; if visiting a holy place, do so with disciplined conduct.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At dawn on a stone ghāṭa, pilgrims step into the Gaṅgā with focused reverence, water glinting like molten silver. Nearby, a serene twice-born ascetic gently refuses offered coins and cloth, palms open in blessing; above him, the sky subtly transforms into a field of stars, hinting at his promised stellar form in heaven.","primary_figures":["pilgrims","a dvija ascetic (gift-refuser)","Gaṅgā-devī (subtle presence)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā ghāṭa with steps, brass lotas, lamps, and distant temple spires; early morning ritual bustle softened by sacred calm.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise saffron","river-silver","temple-sandstone","deep teal","lamp-flame gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: richly ornamented ghāṭa scene with gold-leaf highlights on water ripples and lamps; central dvija ascetic with radiant halo refusing gifts, devotees bathing; starry svarga inset above with the ascetic as a bright tārā; traditional South Indian decorative borders and jewel-toned garments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle dawn wash over the river, delicate figures bathing; the ascetic in simple white, refined expression of detachment; a faint star motif emerging in the pale sky; cool-teal river, warm saffron horizon, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa architecture, bold outlines; bathing figures in rhythmic poses; ascetic shown frontally with large eyes, hand gesture of refusal/blessing; warm pigment palette with decorative star band above indicating svarga.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border with lotuses; central river band with repeated wave patterns; devotees with lamps and lotas; the ascetic framed by a circular star-halo motif; deep blue and gold accents, peacocks perched on steps, temple silhouettes in the background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","ghāṭa bells","soft chanting","splashing footsteps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṃgāṃbhasi → gaṅgā-ambhasi; pratigrahakṣamo'pi → pratigraha-kṣamaḥ api; tārārūpaściraṃ → tārā-rūpaḥ ciram.
FAQs
It presents bathing in the Gaṅgā as a deliberate, merit-producing act (to be done “with effort”), implying purification and spiritual benefit associated with a sacred tīrtha.
The verse frames restraint from accepting gifts (pratigraha) as a mark of ethical discipline and inner purity; such self-control is said to yield exalted heavenly reward.
It links religious practice (tīrtha-snāna) with moral conduct: spiritual merit is reinforced by integrity, especially non-dependence and restraint regarding material gain.